Delay in breast cancer diagnosis on women assisted in the Public Health System

Abstract Introduction Despite efforts, mortality from breast cancer remains high in Brazil and is most common in regions where access to health services is difficult or inexistent. One of the INCA’s (Instituto Nacional do Câncer) recommendations to reduce mortality is to improve the early diagnosis for up to 60 days after the suspicious. Objective To establish the elapsed time (in days) between the suspect and the breast cancer diagnosis, subgrouping the timeframe in the events of: primary care medical appointment; mammography and/or ultrasonography; specialized medical appointment; biopsy and; medical appointment for the diagnosis conclusion. Methods The descriptive and sectional study was accomplished with samples from 45 women attending the public health service, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. Results The average elapsed time was of 142.6 days ± 10.1 (12-451), with 60% of diagnosis performed within 120 and 180 days and effective diagnosed chance of up to 60 days for 8.9% of the cases. Conclusions A effective implementation of care lines in the cancer care network is in need, with connection between services to speed women access to comprehensive assistance.