Research from University of Otago medical student Zoe Windner, supervised by Prof Sarah Derrett and Associate Prof Sue Crengle, shows most people do not know what their symptoms could foreshadow, and would first speak to their partner or a friend rather than a health professional. The study, which looked at the experiences of 98 participants from around the country, found the time between symptoms being noticed and a diagnosis made was six months or more in more than 50% of cases.
Those who had a poor or neutral experience at their first appointment with a healthcare professional were more likely to experience a longer delay, and so were certain other groups.
"Careful attention must be paid to Maori, those aged under 60 years and those with less formal education," Ms Windner said.
She hoped other researchers would be able to build on her work to establish why. She knew some people believed they were too young to get the cancer — or alternatively, their doctor thought they were too young. Ms Windner said while it was preferable people did not live with their symptoms for a long time, there was no research to say those diagnosed earlier always had a better outcome.
Someone might not seek help for a lower-grade cancer for several months, whereas if a cancer was very aggressive they might be diagnosed quickly and be "rushed through" the health system. Every year more than 3000 New Zealanders are diagnosed, and more than 300 of those are under 50.
Few patients in the study suspected they had bowel cancer, and those who did were most likely to be experiencing a change in bowel habits, or rectal bleeding, or both. Signs could also include pain. Another symptom was feeling tired, after developing anaemia due to the bleeding. Ms Windner said it was "great" people felt comfortable talking about the symptoms with others, and it showed how important it was the wider public was aware.