The SYMPTOM-upper gastrointestinal study: A mixed methods study exploring symptom appraisal and help-seeking in Australian upper gastrointestinal cancer patients.
Authors
Milton, Shakira
Muhlen-Schulte, Tjuntu
Holland, Jennifer F
Walter, Fiona M
Zalcberg, John
Emery, Jon
Publication Date
2022-09Journal Title
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)
ISSN
0961-5423
Publisher
Hindawi Limited
Language
en
Type
Article
This Version
AO
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Karnchanachari, N., Milton, S., Muhlen-Schulte, T., Scarborough, R., Holland, J. F., Walter, F. M., Zalcberg, J., & et al. (2022). The SYMPTOM-upper gastrointestinal study: A mixed methods study exploring symptom appraisal and help-seeking in Australian upper gastrointestinal cancer patients.. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13605
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There is limited evidence on the development of pancreatic and oesophagogastric cancer, how patients decide to seek help and the factors impacting help-seeking. Our study, the first in Australia, aimed to explore symptom appraisal and diagnostic pathways in these patients. A secondary aim was to examine the potential to recruit cancer patients through a cancer quality registry. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pancreatic or oesophagogastric cancer were recruited through Monash University's Upper-Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry. Data collected through general practitioners (GP) and patient questionnaires included symptoms and their onset, whereas patient interviews focused on the patient's decision-making in seeking help from healthcare pracitioners. Data collection and analysis was informed by the Aarhus statement. Coding was inductive, and themes were mapped onto the Model of Pathways to Treatment. RESULTS: Between November 2018 and March 2020, 27 patient questionnaires and 13 phone interviews were completed. Prior to diagnosis, patients lacked awareness of pancreatic and oesophagogastric cancer symptoms, leading to the normalisation, dismissal and misattribution of the symptoms. Patients initially self-managed symptoms, but worsening of symptoms and jaundice triggered help-seeking. Competing priorities, beliefs about illnesses and difficulties accessing healthcare delayed help-seeking. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness of insidious pancreatic and oesophagogastric cancer symptoms in patients and general practitioners may prompt more urgent investigations and lead to earlier diagnosis.
Keywords
SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLE, SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLES, cancer registry, early diagnosis, gastric cancer, general practice, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer
Identifiers
ecc13605
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13605
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/336913
Rights
Licence:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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