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Researchers urge teaching women to self-monitor for early ovarian cancer symptoms.
According to recent research from the United States, "To propose a conceptualization that identifies when diagnostic delays occur and suggests a delay-reduction strategy for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, findings and extrapolations from published national and international research studies, research reviews, books, Internet sources, and a family-functioning research project [were studied]. Three phases of diagnosis seeking were identified."
"Self-care was characterized by self-diagnosis, self-interpretation of symptoms, and self-management. Primary provider care was characterized by misdiagnosis and ineffective symptom management. Specialist care was characterized by specialized examinations, tests, and definitive diagnoses. Diagnostic delays were associated with extended periods of self-care and the misinterpretation of symptoms in primary care. Periods of opportunity for early diagnosis occurred in the early symptom stages, when self- and primary care were dominant," explained D. Koldjeski and colleagues, East Carolina University.
The researchers concluded, "Women must be taught to self-monitor for early ovarian cancer symptoms. Primary care providers should be urged to attend frequent state-of-the-science updates that regard early symptoms as manifestations of ovarian cancer."
Koldjeski and colleagues published their study in Oncology Nursing Forum (An ovarian cancer diagnosis-seeking process: Unraveling the diagnostic delay problem. Oncol Nurs Forum, 2005;32(5):1036-1042).
For additional information, contact D. Koldjeski, East Carolina University, School Nursing, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
Publisher contact information for the journal Oncology Nursing Forum is: Oncology Nursing Society, 125 Enterprise Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15275, USA.
Keywords: Greenville, North Carolina, United States, Cancer Diagnosis, Carcinoma Diagnosis, Diagnostics, eHealth, Gynecology, Oncology, Ovarian Cancer, Self-Monitor, Symptoms, Early Detection. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
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