Delays in diagnosis and initiating treatment for patients with lung cancer

6102 Background: Many patients with lung cancer report delays in the diagnosis of their disease. This situation may contribute to advanced stage at diagnosis and poor long term survival. This study explores the delays experienced by patients referred to a regional cancer centre with lung cancer. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients referred to a regional cancer centre with newly diagnosed lung cancer were surveyed over a 3 month period. Surgically resected patients were not included as they were treated at another site. Patients were asked when they first experienced symptoms, when they saw their doctor, what tests were done, when they saw a specialist and when they started treatment. A medical record review was employed to validate the data patients provided. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the different time intervals. Results: 56 of 73 patients consented (RR 77%). However, only 52 patients (30M, 22F) were interviewed as two expired before being interviewed and two could not be contac...