Psychologic distress in women with abnormal findings in mass mammography screening.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to explore the psychologic morbidity of women recalled for diagnostic assessment during population-based mammographic screening.


METHODS
This study prospectively attempted to measure physical, social, and emotional well-being by the administration of a questionnaire before screening, at the time of recall; and 1 month later to women recalled and matched women with those not recalled.


RESULTS
Of the 224 women who were recalled for further diagnostic assessment and their matches, complete follow-up was obtained on 182 pairs (81.3%). In contrast to those women not recalled, recalled women exhibited increased levels of concern at the time of recall. These levels had not decreased to the initial level after 1 month, even though breast carcinoma was not diagnosed. Similar negative short term effects also were evident in the areas of physical well-being, social functioning, and anxiety and insomnia levels, although these were not sustained.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with normal results after mass mammographic breast screening experienced no increase in psychologic distress and a decrease in their concern regarding breast carcinoma. However, those women who were recalled to follow-up after abnormal findings experienced an increase in their level of concern regarding breast carcinoma and this concern was sustained, as determined by repeat questionnaire, 1 month after a negative result had been determined.
Lowe
J B
JB
Centre for Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention Research, University of Queensland Graduate School of Medicine, Herston, Australia.
Balanda
K P
KP
Del Mar
C
C
Hawes
E
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life