What causes delays in diagnosing blood cancers? A rapid review of the evidence.

Georgia B Black; Laura Boswell; Jenny Harris; Katriina L Whitaker

Review

What causes delays in diagnosing blood cancers? A rapid review of the evidence.

July 5, 2023

Black GB, Boswell L, Harris J, et al. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2023;24:e26.

View more articles from the same authors.

Delayed cancer diagnosis is a major contributor to suboptimal outcomes and malpractice claims. In this review, factors contributing to delayed diagnosis of blood cancers are explored. Initial delays resulted from patients’ non-specific symptoms such as fatigue and symptoms that came and went. After seeking care, factors contributing to delayed diagnosis include seeing a locum general practitioner, being Black or a woman, and having multiple chronic conditions.

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