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外文期刊>Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
>Health-Seeking Behaviour and Delayed Presentation of Oral Cancer Patients in a Developing Country: A Qualitative Study based on the Self-Regulatory Model
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Health-Seeking Behaviour and Delayed Presentation of Oral Cancer Patients in a Developing Country: A Qualitative Study based on the Self-Regulatory Model
Background: The aim of this study was to explore reasons for delayed health-seeking for late stage oral cancerpatients. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 oral cancer patients with TNM stageIII to IV disease, who were treated at six tertiary regional centres managing oral cancer throughout Malaysia. Interviewswere audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded using NVivo (version 10.0) qualitative software and analysedusing framework analysis. Results: Participants interpreted their early symptoms as a minor condition and did notconsider it as requiring immediate attention. Four types of coping strategies causing delayed help-seeking emerged:1) self-remedy 2) self-medication 3) seeking traditional healers and 4) consulting general medical practitioners (GPs)instead of dentists. Socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs and religious practices have some influence on diagnosticdelay. Conclusion: Low levels of public knowledge and awareness regarding early signs and symptoms of oral canceras well as GPs’ misdiagnosis of early lesions results in delayed diagnosis.
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