Table 4 Time from presentation to treatment for presenting colorectal cancer symptoms and other clinical variables
| Â | Â | Days from presentation to treatment-geometric mean (95% CI) | Â | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N=1071 | Number with symptom (%) | With | Without | P-value |
Abdominal pain | 318 (30) | 102 (83–125) | 158 (144–173) | <0.001 |
Palpable abdominal mass | 40 (4) | 32 (22–48) | 147 (134–160) | <0.001 |
Rectal bleeding | 286 (27) | 105 (92–120) | 153 (137–171) | <0.001 |
Rectal mass | 31 (3) | 46 (35–59) | 143 (131–157) | <0.001 |
Guarding | 6 (1) | 22 (0.9–540) | 140 (128–153) | 0.003 |
Nausea | 36 (3) | 77 (39–153) | 141 (129–155) | 0.017 |
Rectal mucus discharge | 47 (4) | 85 (60–122) | 142 (129–155) | 0.023 |
Tenesmus | 29 (3) | 76 (49–116) | 141 (129–154) | 0.028 |
Increased frequency of bowel movements | 67 (6) | 99 (72–135) | 142 (129–156) | 0.057 |
Abdominal distension | 60 (6) | 98 (57–170) | 141 (129–155) | 0.066 |
Vomiting | 83 (8) | 105 (65–170) | 142 (130–155) | 0.083 |
Number of symptoms at presentation | Â | Â | Â | <0.001 |
 0 | 26 (2) | 57 (27–119) |  | |
 1 | 459 (43) | 208 (184–235) |  | |
 2 | 332 (31) | 133 (114–156) |  | |
 3 | 150 (14) | 104 (83–131) |  | |
 4 or more | 104 (10) | 49 (36–68) |  | |
History of anxiety or depression | 143 (13) | 210 (167–264) | 130 (118–143) | <0.001 |
Past history of benign bowel disease | 168 (16) | 169 (133–215) | 133 (121–147) | 0.059 |
GP consultations/month | Â | Â | Â | <0.001 |
 0–0.5 | 248 (23) | 620 (571–673) |  | |
 0.5–2.5 | 247 (23) | 182 (164–202) |  | |
 2.5–10 | 222 (21) | 92 (82–105) |  | |
 >10 | 283 (26) | 49 (40–59) |  | |
Tumour site | Â | Â | Â | 0.072 |
 Right side colon to hepatic flexure | 263 (25) | 163 (136–197) |  | |
 Transverse colon to splenic flexure | 105 (10) | 102 (73–141) |  | |
 Descending and sigmoid colon | 286 (27) | 140 (116–170) |  | |
 Rectosigmoid and rectum | 379 (35) | 136 (120–154) |  | |
 Unspecified or overlapping | 38 (4) | 111 (66–188) |  | |
