肉瘤经常被误诊，治疗延误会对患者的治疗结果产生负面影响。本研究的目的是探索患者进行医疗评估的阈值和时间表，确定最有可能首先联系的提供者，并评估明尼苏达州普通人群的一般肉瘤知识。在 2015 年和 2022 年明尼苏达州博览会上招募了自愿参与者来完成一项由三部分组成的调查。第 1 部分评估评估时间表和提供者选择，第 2 部分通过十个问题调查评估肉瘤知识，第 3 部分记录人口统计数据。答复以电子方式记录，结果制成表格。总体而言，2124 名参与者完成了部分或全部调查。第 1 部分：参与者表示，与无痛性肿块相比，他们会为疼痛性肿块寻求更紧急的治疗 (p<0.001)。大多数（77%）的参与者表示，家庭医生将是他们治疗疼痛和非疼痛肿块的第一联系人。第 2 部分：比较 2015 年（平均值 = 40%）和 2022 年（平均值 = 42%）的结果时，总分（正确百分比）没有差异 (p = 0.183)。总体而言，16% (349/2117) 的参与者没有正确回答。自认为西班牙裔或拉丁裔以及非白人种族的个人表现较差（p< 0.001）。一般来说，分数随着教育程度的提高而提高，与具有高中教育或高中文凭/普通教育文凭的参与者相比，具有研究生或专业学位的参与者的分数估计提高了 2.515 分 (p<0.001)。具有医疗保健背景的参与者得分更高（p< 0.001）。疼痛是患者发起评估的驱动因素，初级保健提供者最有可能是患者的第一接触者。即使是那些拥有高等学位和医疗保健经验的人，对肉瘤的总体认识仍然很低。明尼苏达州的公众和医疗保健社区都需要持续不断的教育工作。© 2024。作者获得美国癌症教育协会的独家许可。

Sarcomas are commonly misdiagnosed, and treatment delays negatively impact patient outcomes. The purpose of this study is to explore patient threshold for and timeline to medical evaluation, to identify providers most likely to be contacted first, and to assess general sarcoma knowledge in Minnesota's general population. Voluntary participants were recruited at the 2015 and 2022 Minnesota State Fair to complete a three-part survey. Part 1 assessed evaluation timeline and provider choice, part 2 evaluated sarcoma knowledge via a ten-question survey, and part 3 documented demographics. Responses were electronically recorded, and results were tabulated. Overall, 2124 participants completed some or all of the survey. Part 1: Participants indicated they would seek more urgent treatment for a painful mass compared to a non-painful mass (p < 0.001). The majority (77%) of participants indicated a family medicine physician would be their first contact for painful and non-painful masses. Part 2: There was no difference in overall score (percent correct) when comparing results from 2015 (mean = 40%) to 2022 (mean = 42%) (p = 0.183). Overall, 16% (349/2117) of participants had no correct responses. Individuals who self-identified as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and a non-White race performed worse (p < 0.001). In general, scores improved with increased education and those with a graduate or professional degree had an estimated 2.515-point increase in score compared to participants with some high school education or high school diploma/general education diploma (p < 0.001). Participants with a healthcare background scored better (p < 0.001). Pain is a driving factor for patient-initiated evaluation, and primary care providers are the most likely first contact for patients. General sarcoma awareness remains low, even among those with advanced degrees and healthcare experience. Ongoing educational efforts are warranted for both the general public and healthcare communities in Minnesota.© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to American Association for Cancer Education.