Cancer Causes & Control
“I never thought to bring them up to the doctor”: examining symptom appraisal, help-seeking behaviors, and diagnostic delays among young adults with cancer
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 …