Early diagnosis and treatment improves the outcome of most cancers, but people tend to wait before seeking a diagnosis. Researchers in India say some patients in their study waited only a week before seeing a doctor, while others waited three years. The average procrastination was four months. Patients may delay seeking medical treatment because of failure to recognize symptoms, family or work commitments, anxiety or fear. But the study pointed out that those waiting longest for a cancer diagnosis were more likely to receive only palliative care instead of treatment with intent to cure the cancer. The researchers noted there are other factors that delay cancer diagnosis or treatment, but patients were the source of most of the delays. Reducing the delays might improve outcomes for cancer patients.