Recalled anxiety: from discovery to diagnosis of a benign breast mass.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the amount of anxiety recalled by women who have had benign breast biopsies and to describe coping strategies used by these women during the time from discovery of the mass to definitive diagnosis.


METHODS
Descriptive, retrospective.


METHODS
Surgical oncology practices, private and academic, treating patients living in five southern states.


METHODS
238 women who had excisional biopsies with benign results within the previous two years. Mean age of 52 years, 80% Caucasian, and 20% African American.


METHODS
Subjects rated their anxiety from discovery to diagnosis on a 16-point visual analogue scale and answered a short-answer question about the coping strategies used to deal with the anxiety.


METHODS
Anxiety and coping strategies.


RESULTS
The mean length of time from discovery to diagnosis was 35 days. No statistically significant relationship was found between the length of time from discovery to diagnosis and the amount of anxiety experienced. However, 58% of the women recalled severe amounts of anxiety during this time. Qualitative analysis grouped coping strategies into five patterns (themes): diversionary, spiritual, interpersonal, hopeful, and avoidance.


CONCLUSIONS
The time between discovery of a breast mass and definitive diagnosis is a time of considerable anxiety for many women. Substantial time elapses between discovery and diagnosis, contributing to the possible morbidity associated with severe anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can work to decrease the time occupied by the diagnostic process, counsel women regarding the anxiety being experienced, and present coping strategies that may help.
College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
S
S
Benedict
R D
RD
Williams
P L
PL
Baron
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000523:psychology; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors