ArticleBMJ open2025
Behavioural trajectories of delay in seeking medical care in participants with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Patient personas of delayed healthcare-seeking behavior among patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: A qualitative study.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2026Article
- Based on the health belief model: a qualitative exploration of factors influencing early screening behavior for breast cancer-related lymphedema.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Experiences of Living with Gynecological Cancer-Related Lymphedema Among Patients: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.Patient preference and adherence · 2026Review
- Self-management of lower limb lymphedema at home following gynecologic cancer surgery: a qualitative study of women's experiences and challenges.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
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5 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesThis qualitative study aimed to address the following central research question: what are the key factors and behavioural trajectories influencing delayed medical care-seeking among participants with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL), and how do these factors operate across the stages of symptom perception, alertness and decision-making?
designThis qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach, with semistructured interviews conducted to explore participants' experiences.
settingA tertiary hospital located in North China.
participants18 patients with BCRL were recruited through purposive maximum variation sampling and interviewed in person between January and June 2023.
results10 themes emerged and were categorised into three stages: (1) the perception stage (lack of disease knowledge, risk underestimation and symptom avoidance); (2) the alertness stage (failed self-management, negative coping and exposure to misinformation) and (3) the decision-making stage (financial burden, limited healthcare access, insufficient social support and fatalism). The average delay was 10.2 months, with prolonged delays (>12 months) linked to severe lymphoedema progression.
conclusionDelayed care seeking in BCRL is a multifactorial behavioural trajectory shaped by knowledge gaps, systemic barriers and psychosocial factors. Clinicians should prioritise early patient education and context-sensitive interventions to mitigate delays.
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