Elysse Bautista-González, Fundación Mexicana Para la Salud, Funsalud, Mexico City, Mexico
Gunther A. Hasselkus-Sánchez, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (CIESAS). Mexico City, Mexico
Background: Timely diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in lung cancer patients in Mexico. However, barriers hinder the achievement of this goal, leading to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment trajectories. Objective: To explore barriers and facilitators contributing to late diagnosis and treatment. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted in spring 2023 among a purposive sample of lung cancer patients, relatives, and health-care professionals in Mexico. Grounded theory was used to identify recurring themes and gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced. Codes included: barriers and facilitators; and origin: individual, family/community, doctor, or health system. The interpretation of the data was guided by the proximal and distal determinants of care and cross-checked by a second researcher. Results: The study identifies multiple barriers to lung cancer diagnosis and care, including poor symptom recognition, lack of medical training, and family or caregiver burden. However, facilitators such as family perseverance, non-profit organization support, and participation in research protocols can help overcome these obstacles. Conclusion: Addressing barriers while leveraging the facilitators is essential for improving lung cancer outcomes.
Keywords: Barriers. Early cancer care. Diagnosis. Treatment. Mexico. Lung cancer.
