The care pathway of patients with breast cancer: A review of the literature

Abstract

A care pathway is defined as a complex intervention for the mutual decision-making and organisation of care processes for a specific group of patients over a specific time period. The difference in breast cancer care pathways is assumed but not well evaluated. This review describes the care pathway and aims to evaluate every aspect of it in patients with breast cancer. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, this systematic review was designed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Sciences Directs, Springer, Google Scholar, Jstore, Cochrane Library, and Cairn Info were all queried. The inclusion criteria were met by twenty-four articles. The findings revealed a difference in presentation delay, diagnosis delay, and treatment delay across continents (Asia, Africa, America, Australia, and Europe) and countries from which patients with breast cancer originate. Age, a lower financial status, and a larger tumour size are all factors that influence the waiting time. This systematic review clearly revealed some management delays in women with breast cancer, which were linked to a variety of factors.The identification of such factors is critical for the development of strategies to improve the care of breast cancer patients.

Keywords:

Care, pathway, breast cancer.