Childhood cancer, type 1 diabetes and other immune diseases: healthcare visits in the year before diagnosis in Taiwan.

Background: Children with cancer, type 1 diabetes and other immune diseases often present initially with non-specific problems. It is unknown how long children with these conditions seek medical help before a diagnosis is reached.

Methods: During the period 2002 to 2013, 7238 children aged 2-15 years diagnosed with cancer at seven sites, type 1 diabetes, and three other immune diseases were registered in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Catastrophic Illness Database.