OBJECTIVE:

To determine the existence of delays in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in women treated in Medellin (Colombia), to explore the associated factors, and to describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Retrospective, observational and analytical cross-sectional study of 331 women with breast cancer in Medellin (Colombia) in the personal record of a surgeon. Delays in the patient, provider and total were considered, defined as the time elapsed greater than 90 days, 30 days and 30 days, respectively; Demographic, clinical, and paraclinical data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS:

98.6% of the women had health insurance; 80.1% (n= 265) presented total treatment delay, 76.1% (N= 270) had patient delay, and 78% (n=277) provider delay; In the bivariate analysis, significant associations were established between total delay and belonging to the subsidized regimen (OR= 1.17; 95% CI 1.06-1.29; p= 0.008).

CONCLUSION:

Among the patients studied, important delays were found due to the responsibility of the patient and the provider, and a total delay to treatment significantly associated with belonging to the subsidized regimen.