Table 2 Time from presentation to treatment for presenting breast cancer symptoms and other clinical variables

From: Factors influencing time from presentation to treatment of colorectal and breast cancer in urban and rural areas

  

Days from presentation to treatment-geometric mean (95% CI)

 

N=1069

Number with symptom (%)

With symptom

Without symptom

P-value

Breast lump

761 (71)

40 (37–43)

49 (44–55)

0.002

Breast pain

106 (10)

69 (54–88)

40 (38–42)

<0.001

Nipple discharge – blood

9 (1)

168 (50–567)

42 (39–44)

<0.001

Lymphadenopathy (axillary/supraclavicular)

58 (5)

32 (24–41)

43 (40–46)

0.026

Change in skin contour

134 (13)

26 (21–31)

45 (42–48)

<0.001

Ulcerating or fungating lesion

26 (2)

17 (9–30)

43 (41–46)

<0.001

Lump tethered to skin or underlying tissue

50 (5)

31 (23–42)

43 (40–46)

0.033

Bone pain

7 (1)

15 (6–37)

42 (40–45)

0.008

Skin discolouration

12 (1)

25 (13–48)

42 (40–45)

0.080

Fullness/lumpiness/asymmetry

9 (1)

75 (32–176)

42 (39–45)

0.092

Number of symptoms at presentation

   

<0.001

 0

225 (21)

36 (32–40)

 

 1

494 (46)

53 (48–58)

 

 2

248 (23)

37 (33–42)

 

 3 or more

102 (10)

27 (22–34)

 

Benign investigations in previous 5 years

292 (27)

49 (45–54)

40 (37–43)

0.002

Past history of benign breast disease

220 (21)

55 (46–64)

39 (37–42)

<0.001

  1. No differences (P>0.10) for nonblood stained nipple discharge, nipple distortion, nipple eczema, breast tenderness, discomfort or itch, breast inflammation, lymphoedema, or past history of anxiety or depression.