THE HEAVY BURDEN OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS DELAYS: EXPLORING ROOTS, SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT, AND REMEDIES

Abstract

Globally, cancer is the principal cause of mortality, claiming millions of lives each year. The significance of early detection is well-documented, as it substantially enhances treatment effectiveness and survival rates. Despite these advantages, the journey to diagnosis is fraught with delays at multiple levels—patient, primary healthcare, and tertiary care settings—which escalate the challenges faced by patients and strain healthcare systems financially and operationally. This dissertation seeks to dissect the underlying causes of diagnostic delays in cancer care, with a specific focus on developing a robust framework that quantifies the burden of cancer and outlines potential strategies to alleviate these delays. Our research methodology included a benchmark study that pinpointed inefficient referral processes as a significant operational barrier to timely cancer diagnosis. This was followed by a detailed epidemiological study in Qatar, focusing specifically on leukemia, to characterize the state of diagnostic delays. By examining records over a five-year period, we investigated how demographic and epidemiological factors influence the efficiency of cancer diagnosis timelines. The dissertation further proposes an innovative framework that assesses the socioeconomic impact of cancer, capturing both direct and indirect costs related to morbidity and mortality. This framework functions as a Decision Support System, providing healthcare policymakers with tools to visualize and simulate various operational scenarios aimed at reducing the cancer burden. Emphasizing operational strategies such as streamlined referral processes, improved patient and healthcare provider awareness, and targeted training for clinical staff, the research suggests a comprehensive approach to enhancing the effectiveness of cancer care delivery. By adopting robust operational practices and adhering to local guidelines, healthcare systems can foster early detection and management, significantly reducing the time to diagnosis and, consequently, the overall burden of cancer on society. This dissertation offers significant contributions to Healthcare Operations Management by elucidating the complex dynamics of cancer diagnosis delays and management, providing actionable insights for healthcare systems aimed at optimizing patient outcomes and reducing the economic and operational strain of cancer. Keywords: Cancer Diagnostic Delays; Healthcare Operations Management; Decision Support Systems; Epidemiological Analysis; Socioeconomic Impact of Cancer

Date of Award	2025
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Science and Engineering