Navigating the Diagnostic Interval: Clinical Decision-Making and Outcomes in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. The diagnostic phase in the management of breast cancer, between detecting something unusual to receiving a diagnosis, has been described as a devastating period. To demonstrate that clinical decision-making provides health professionals with an appreciation of women’s experience of making decisions and an understanding of the types of decisions that women may need to make when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. This study was conducted on 30 patients with early-stage breast cancer at Tobruk Medical Center during the period from July 2024 to December 2025. Our study showed that 56.7% of patients were married, 6.7% were partnered, and 36.6% were single. There was 26.7% of patients didn’t have children at home, 23.3% of patients had one child at home, while there was 50% of patients had 2 or more children. There was 90% of patients had a local stage of disease, while there was 10% of patients had a regional stage of disease. 33.3% of patients were diagnosed within 1 year, 26.7% within 2.3 years, and 40% more than 3 years ago. We conclude that the earlier the diagnosis of breast cancer is, the less bad the consequences will be. Understanding women's decision-making processes and strategies can lead to better experiences and outcomes.