I never thought to bring them up to the doctor - examining symptom appraisal, help-seeking behaviors, and diagnostic delays among young adults with cancer

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by dhado

Rising cancer incidence among young adults (20–39) increases the importance of understanding diagnostic delays and their drivers. The study examines how symptom appraisal, help-seeking behaviors, and diagnostic processes contribute to time-to-diagnosis for young adults. Semi-structured interviews with 30 diagnosed participants were analyzed with template analysis across three delay intervals. Findings show symptom misattribution, reliance on online information with variable guidance, and the need for self-advocacy for diagnostic testing after initial dismissal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keywords

Introduction

Background and rationale

Research on diagnostic delays

Cancer Causes & Control (2026) 37:149 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-026-02231-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-026-02231-3) “I never thought to bring them up to the doctor”: examining symptom appraisal, help‑seeking behaviors, and diagnostic delays among young adults with cancer Natasha C. Allard1 · Elizabeth G. Bouchard2 · Jennifer S. Ford3 · Thomas Hugh Feeley4 · Denise Rokitka5 · Heather Orom1 Received: 20 March 2026 / Accepted: 4 August 2026 / Published online: 22 August 2026 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Purpose Cancer incidence is rising among young adults (20–39 years), and it is one of the top five causes of death for this age group. Young adults often experience longer delays in diagnosis than children and older adults, which negatively impacts survival and quality of life. Communication interventions might help reduce these delays, but understanding the factors driving delays is crucial for developing effective strategies. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 young adults diagnosed with cancer to explore factors contributing to delays across three intervals: symptom appraisal, help-seeking, and diagnostic. Interviews were conducted in January and February 2023 and analyzed using template analysis by three independent coders. Results Most young adults misattributed symptoms to stress, lifestyle, or minor issues, and thus delayed seeking medical evaluation. Many used online information to inform care-seeking decisions but encountered content that minimized symptom severity or offered unclear guidance. Upon seeking care, several young adults had to self-advocate for diagnostic testing after providers initially dismissed their concerns. Conclusion These patterns highlight potentially modifiable targets for future communication interventions. Strategies to improve young adults’ awareness of potential cancer symptoms, address misconceptions about cancer risk, and promote timely care-seeking are warranted. Efforts should also focus on improving the quality of online symptom information and equipping young adults with tools to communicate more effectively with providers. While systemic changes are also needed, individual-level communication campaigns could help shorten time to diagnosis and improve outcomes for young adults with cancer. Keywords Young adult cancer · Diagnostic delays · Symptom appraisal · Help-seeking behavior · Communication interventions · Qualitative research * Natasha C. Allard [ncallard@buffalo.edu](ncallard@buffalo.edu) [Elizabeth G. Bouchard](Elizabeth G. Bouchard)[ ](Elizabeth G. Bouchard)[elizabeth.bouchard@roswellpark.org](elizabeth.bouchard@roswellpark.org)[ ](elizabeth.bouchard@roswellpark.org)Jennifer S. Ford [jennifer.ford@hunter.cuny.edu](jennifer.ford@hunter.cuny.edu) Thomas Hugh Feeley [thfeeley@buffalo.edu](thfeeley@buffalo.edu) Denise Rokitka [denise.rokitka@roswellpark.org](denise.rokitka@roswellpark.org) Heather Orom [horom@buffalo.edu](horom@buffalo.edu) 1 Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA 2 Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA 3 Department of Psychology, Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, HN 611, NY, NY, USA 4 Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA 5 Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Elm and Carlton, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA Introduction Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death for young adults (20–39 years) in the United States [1–3] . Young adults experience longer delays in diagnosis than children and older adults [4–11], and these delays are associated with diminished quality of life, increased burden of co-morbidities, and poorer sur

FAQs

What problem does the study address for young adults with cancer?

The study focuses on diagnostic delays among young adults (20–39 years), who often experience longer time to diagnosis than children and older adults, negatively affecting survival and quality of life.

How were delays investigated in the research?

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 young adults diagnosed with cancer. Delays were explored across symptom appraisal, help-seeking, and diagnostic intervals, using template analysis by three independent coders.

What key factors contributed to delayed care-seeking?

Many participants misattributed symptoms to stress, lifestyle, or minor issues, which postponed seeking medical evaluation. Others used online information that sometimes minimized symptom severity or provided unclear guidance.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by dhado