The consequences of delayed cancer detection are profound:
1. Reduced Survival Rates: Advanced cancers are more challenging to treat effectively, leading to lower survival rates.
2. More Aggressive Treatment: When cancer is detected late, it often requires more aggressive treatment, such as extensive surgery, higher doses of chemotherapy, or radiation, which can have significant side effects.
3. Increased Healthcare Costs: Treating advanced cancer is generally more expensive than treating early-stage cancer, increasing the financial burden on patients and the healthcare system.
4. Diminished Quality of Life: Advanced cancer and its treatment can significantly affect a patient's quality of life, causing physical, emotional, and psychological distress.
