Time from diagnosis to treatment: Are cancer patients who travel for treatment receiving optimal care in Australia?
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Suzanne K. Chambers: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2369-6111
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of cancer patients in Australia who experienced a delay in starting treatment, according to best practice standards in the Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs). Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 640 adults who accessed Cancer Council Queensland subsidised accommodation while receiving cancer care in a major city. Treatment delay was defined as a diagnosis-to-treatment interval exceeding OCP recommendations. Results: The median time from diagnosis to treatment was 4.4 weeks (interquartile range: 2.1–8.9 weeks). Of the 494 participants whose data were assessable against OCPs, 199 (40%) experienced a treatment delay. Delay was not associated with age, gender, geographic remoteness, comorbidities, or treatment modality. Participants without private health insurance had higher odds of delay compared to those with insurance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–2.78), and participants with breast (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14–0.74) or skin (aOR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.61) cancers had lower odds of delay than those with other cancer types. Conclusion: Adherence to OCP recommendations was low compared to the generally accepted quality target of 70–85%, with two in five cancer patients experiencing a delay in commencing treatment. Low adherence to these recommendations underscores the need to strengthen system-wide support and accountability measures, particularly for those facing disparities in access to cancer care related to health insurance status and cancer type.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
34
Issue
1
PubMed ID
41366129
Publication Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Publisher
Springer
School
Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Funders
Cancer Council Queensland
Copyright
subscription content
Comments
Ayre, S. K., Ireland, M., Taglieri-Sclocchi, A., Bourdaniotis, X. E., March, S., Crawford-Williams, F., Dunn, J., Chambers, S. K., Goodwin, B. C., & Johnston, E. A. (2025). Time from diagnosis to treatment: Are cancer patients who travel for treatment receiving optimal care in Australia? Supportive Care in Cancer, 34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-10229-x