Adherence to recommendations for clinical follow-up after benign breast biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
Women who undergo a benign breast biopsy are at elevated risk for the subsequent development of breast cancer (BC). Therefore, appropriate clinical follow-up of a benign breast biopsy is important. The present study examines the extent and correlates of nonadherence with follow-up recommendations after a benign breast biopsy.


METHODS
Women (n = 114) who had undergone a benign breast biopsy completed an initial telephone interview within 50 days of their biopsy (mean = 21 days). Additional telephone interviews were completed at 4 and 8 months post-biopsy. Measures of BC risk perception, general and BC-specific distress, BC-related attitudes and beliefs, social support, optimism, and informational coping style were completed. Specific recommendations for clinical follow-up and evidence of actual follow-up were obtained from medical records.


RESULTS
Of 103 women given a specific recommendation for clinical follow-up, 34% were classified as nonadherent with follow-up recommendations. Logistic regression analyses indicated that nonadherent women were characterized by younger age, recommendations for follow-up by clinical breast examination alone, greater confidence in their ability to perform breast self-examination properly, higher perceived personal risk for BC, and greater BC-specific distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the importance of appropriate clinical follow-up of a benign breast biopsy, about one-third of women did not adhere to recommended follow-up. Risk factors for nonadherence suggest potential avenues for interventions to enhance participation in appropriate clinical follow-up.
Andrykowski
M A
MA
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0086, USA. mandry@pop.uky.edu
Carpenter
J S
JS
Studts
J L
JL
Cordova
M J
MJ
Cunningham
L L
LL
Mager
W
W
Sloan
D
D
Kenady
D
D
McGrath
P
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001706:Biopsy; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological