Determinants of patient delay and its association with quality of life among young women with breast cancer in China: A cross-sectional study

Objective: The incidence of breast cancer in young women (< 40 years old) has been increasing in recent years. Patient delay is significant to disease prognosis, thus early diagnosis and prompt effective therapy represent the key elements in controlling breast cancer. This study aimed to identify determinants of patient delay and assess the association of patient delay with quality of life (QoL). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 young patients with breast cancer from October, 2022 to March, 2023 at four tertiary hospitals in Hunan province, China with the guidance of Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization. Determinants of patient delay were identified using binary logistic regression analysis. The association between patient delay and QoL was analyzed using linear regression. Results: = 0.049). Conclusions: Waiting time for initial outpatient consultation > 7-day was the strongest determinant of patient delay among young women with breast cancer. Other significant factors included rural residence and initial consultation in non-specialist departments, while higher health literacy, friend support, and detection via physical examination were protective. Patient delay was significantly associated with poorer QoL, particularly in the domains of physical well-being, functional well-being, and additional concerns. These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting health care access to reduce patient delay and improve patient health outcomes.