Tower Cancer Research Foundation Releases Findings of New National
Survey, ‘Delayed Cancer Diagnosis: Why?’
Over Half of Respondents Waited Two Months to Five Years or Longer to
See a Doctor for a Diagnosis in Spite of Having Symptoms of the Disease
Fear, Procrastination and Lack of Medical Insurance among Key Factors
Complete Survey Findings Located at www.towercancerfoundation.org
LOS ANGELES (Business Wire EON) May 14, 2008 --
According to the results of a major national survey, “Delayed
Cancer Diagnosis: Why?” over half of
respondents waited two months to five years to see a doctor for a
diagnosis in spite of having symptoms of the disease. In addition,
nearly four out of five respondents were diagnosed with having a form of
cancer within one week to two months of seeing a doctor.
The primary objective of the study was to identify any causes of delay
of correct diagnosis of cancer. The total number of cancer survivor
respondents to the survey was 500. The margin of error for this study is
+/- 4.5%.
The survey was conducted on behalf of THE RONNIE LIPPIN CANCER
OUTREACH PROGRAM AT TOWER CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION that was
established to provide the public with more information and
understanding of cancer and how to deal with significant issues relating
to the disease. Ms. Ronnie Lippin passed away in December 2006 from a
rare form of breast cancer and THE LIPPIN FAMILY TRUST formed an
alliance with the prestigious TOWER CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION, a
non-profit institution dedicated to finding more effective treatments to
prevent, treat, and, one day, cure cancer. THE DOHRING COMPANY,
one of America’s foremost independent market
research companies, helped develop, implement and analyze the survey and
its findings.
Dr. Solomon Hamburg, president and chief executive officer of THE
TOWER CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION stated, “This
survey is part of the commitment our Foundation has made in providing
the public with information so they can become more knowledgeable about
how to deal with cancer related issues. It is also information that will
be utilized when we formally launch our cancer helpline later this year.”
He added, “Hope, fear, procrastination and
lack of medical insurance were all powerful forces preventing people
from going to see a doctor. Those surveyed were cancer survivors but
many people who delay going to a doctor for long periods of time for a
diagnosis, are not as fortunate. Early detection raises the bar
considerably on our ability to help those in need.”
Among the findings were:
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1.
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52.1% of respondents with symptoms waited two months or longer
before seeing a doctor.
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2.
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14.8% of respondents with symptoms waited one to five years or longer
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3.
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38.1% when asked why they waited said they hoped the symptoms would
go away
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4.
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32.1% when asked why they waited said they procrastinated
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5.
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13.4% when asked why they waited said they were afraid of what the
doctor might find
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6.
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12.7% when asked why they waited said they did not have medical
insurance
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7.
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79%, or four out of five, were diagnosed with cancer less than 2
months from seeing their first doctor
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8.
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33.6% were diagnosed with cancer within one week from seeing their
first doctor
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The survey also revealed that 43.4% of respondents said that once they
suspected they had cancer, had they been aware of a Cancer Helpline
where they could get guidance and advice, they would have called it.
The full survey and its findings are available on THE TOWER CANCER
RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S website: www.towercancerfoundation.org
or by request by writing or calling:
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Pam Blattner
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Administrator
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TOWER CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
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9229 Wilshire Boulevard
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Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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310-285-7242
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blattnerp@toweroncology.com
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