Provider delay among patients with breast cancer in Germany: a population-based study.

Purpose: Delaying the diagnosis and initiation of treatment of cancer is likely to result in tumor progression and a worse prognosis. We examined sources and consequences of provider delay among female breast cancer patients in a population-based study in Germany.

Patients And Methods: Three hundred eighty women, who were ages 18 to 80 years and who had invasive breast cancer, were interviewed with respect to the diagnostic process.