I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO AWAY - PATIENT DENIAL IN BREAST-CANCER

A significant proportion of patients with cancer present late to the d octor. The characteristics of these patients and the reasons behind th eir delaying behaviour is poorly understood. In this study a group of 30 women with breast cancer who delayed their presentation were compar ed with a randomly selected group with the same disease. The women who presented late did not appear to fit into any particular socio-demogr aphic category, but examination of their histories revealed widespread denial of illness and a diversity of beliefs and behaviour.