Abstract: Objective: To describe the patient delay situation of oral cancer patients in Dalian city and identify the main influencing factors. Methods: The influencing factors of patient delay were assessed by the general data self-designed questionnaire, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), medical-seeking situation questionnaire, and family support scale to survey the 72 cases of oral cancer patients. Results: The incidence of oral cancer patient delay was 48.5%. The elapsed time from discovery to the initial seeking for a medical consultation ranged from 2 days to 5 years, and the median was 120 days. Medical-seeking patients with delay were different from patients with no delay in living conditions, self-consciously disease severity, anxiety, and consciously family support. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Oral cancer patient delay phenomenon is relatively common, and the living conditions, self-consciously severity of disease, anxiety, and consciously family support are the main factors influencing the oral cancer patients to see the doctor.

Key words: Oral cancer , Patient delay, Status , Influencing factors