Diagnostic delay in colorectal cancer.

Recent guidelines recommend early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Little data exists for comparison or to set standards. The aims of this study were to calculate the time to diagnosis for colorectal cancer from first hospital attendance and to identify any remedial factors felt to contribute to an undue delay in diagnosis. A one year retrospective audit was undertaken in a specialist teaching hospital. There were 59 patients and the median time to diagnosis was 17 days after first hospital consultation (mean 52 days). Some 34% had to wait more than one month for diagnosis. Incomplete examination or initial referral to a non-surgical specialty appeared to contribute to delay. Greater awareness of guidelines across the breadth of hospital specialties may reduce time to diagnosis.