Factors associated with mode of colorectal cancer detection and time to diagnosis: a population level study

Abstract

Abstract Background Although it is well-known that early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is important for optimal patient survival, the relationship of patient and health system factors with delayed diagnosis are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic, clinical and healthcare factors related to mode of CRC detection and length of the diagnostic interval. Methods All residents of Alberta, Canada diagnosed with first-ever incident CRC in years 2004\u20132010 were identified from the Alberta Cancer Registry. Population-based administrative health datasets, including hospital discharge abstract, ambulatory care classification system and physician billing data, were used to identify healthcare services related to CRC diagnosis. The time to diagnosis was defined as the time from the first CRC-related healthcare visit to the date of CRC diagnosis. Mode of CRC detection was classified into three groups: urgent, screen-detected and symptomatic. Quantile regression was performed to assess factors associated with time to diagnosis. Results 9626 patients were included in the study; 25% of patients presented as urgent, 32% were screen-detected and 43% were symptomatic. The median time to diagnosis for urgent, screen-detected and symptomatic patients were 6\ua0days (interquartile range (IQR) 2\u201314 days), 74\ua0days (IQR 36\u2013183 days), 84\ua0days (IQR 39\u2013223 days), respectively. Time to diagnosis was greater than 6\ua0months for 27% of non-urgent patients. Healthcare factors had the largest impact on time to diagnosis: 3 or more visits to a GP increased the median by 140\ua0days whereas 2 or more visits to a GI-specialist increased it by 108\ua0days compared to 0\u20131 visits to a GP or GI-specialist, respectively. Conclusion A large proportion of CRC patients required urgent work-up or had to wait more than 6\ua0months for diagnosis. Actions are needed to reduce the frequency of urgent presentation as well as improve the timeliness of diagnosis. Findings suggest a need to improve coordination of care across multiple providers