TY  - JOUR
A1  - Herbert, Saskia-Laureen
A1  - Hirzle, Paula
A1  - Bartmann, Catharina
A1  - Schlaiß, Tanja
A1  - Kiesel, Matthias
A1  - Curtaz, Carolin
A1  - Löb, Sanja
A1  - Wöckel, Achim
A1  - Diessner, Joachim
T1  - Optimized process quality in certified breast centers through adherence to stringent diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms effects of structural as well as socio-demographic factors on start of therapy
T2  - Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
N2  - Purpose
An increasing incidence of breast cancer can be observed worldwide. Since a delay of therapy can have a negative impact on prognosis, timely cancer care is an important quality indicator. By receiving treatment at a certified breast cancer center, the patient has the best chance of treatment in accordance with guidelines and the best prognosis. The identification of risk factors for a delay of therapy is of central importance and should be the basis for a continuous optimization of treatment at breast cancer centers.

Methods
This retrospective study included women with breast cancer (primary diagnosis, relapse, or secondary malignancy) at the University Hospital Würzburg in 2019 and 2020. Data were retrieved from patients’ records. Correlations and regression analyses were performed to detect potential risk factors for treatment delay.

Results
Patients who received the histological confirmation of breast cancer at an external institution experienced a later therapy start than those patients who received the histological confirmation at the University Hospital Würzburg itself. (35.7 vs. 32.2 days). The interval between histological confirmation and the first consultation at the University Hospital Würzburg correlated statistically significant with age, distress and distance to the hospital.

Conclusion
Patients with an in-house diagnosis of breast cancer are treated more quickly than those whose diagnosis was confirmed in an external institution. We identified factors such as increased age, greater distance to the hospital as well as increased distress to prolong the time until start of oncological treatment. Intensified patient care should be offered to these subgroups.
KW  - breast cancer
KW  - delay of therapy
KW  - prognosis
KW  - quality of care
Y1  - 2023
UR  - https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/32405
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324057
VL  - 307
IS  - 4
ER  -