MacArthur C, Smith A
J Epidemiol Community Health. 1984 Jun;38(2):122-6. doi: 10.1136/jech.38.2.122.
Delay in the presentation of symptoms and in referral of patients for surgical opinion remains an important problem in colorectal cancer. Factors influencing patients to consult early include advice from close family or other associates and abdominal pain or vomiting, or both, as one of the early symptoms. More localised rectal symptoms and loss of weight are often associated with long delay. The "classic" symptom pictures are not often seen in the early stages of the disease. Few identifiable factors were associated with delay in referral for surgical opinion. Doctors who examine their patients (rectally or otherwise) refer them sooner. In the districts studied delay in instituting definitive treatment after consultant referral does not seem to be a major problem. There is some evidence that delay is associated with stage of the disease at presentation.
在结直肠癌中，症状出现的延迟以及患者寻求手术意见的转诊延迟仍然是一个重要问题。促使患者尽早咨询的因素包括亲密家人或其他熟人的建议以及腹痛或呕吐（或两者兼有）作为早期症状之一。更具局限性的直肠症状和体重减轻往往与长时间延迟相关。“典型”的症状表现并不常在疾病早期出现。与寻求手术意见的转诊延迟相关的可识别因素很少。对患者进行（直肠或其他方式）检查的医生会更早地转诊患者。在所研究的地区，在顾问转诊后开始确定性治疗的延迟似乎不是一个主要问题。有一些证据表明延迟与就诊时疾病的分期有关。
