Educating women about breast cancer. An intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an "information aid" for women with a family history of breast cancer.


METHODS
Before-after descriptive study.


METHODS
Family practices in Ontario.


METHODS
Of 405 randomly selected Ontario physician members of the College of Family Physician's of Canada's National Research System, 97 agreed to participate and to recruit three consecutive female patients with any family history of breast cancer.


METHODS
Patients completed a baseline questionnaire and, after reviewing the information aid, a satisfaction questionnaire. Four weeks later, they completed a third questionnaire.


METHODS
Patient satisfaction, knowledge, worries related to breast cancer, risk perception, and attitudes toward screening.


RESULTS
Of 203 patients recruited, 160 (79%) completed all three questionnaires. The information aid was rated excellent or very good by 91% of the women; 99% would recommend it to other women. Knowledge improved significantly; worry about breast cancer did not increase.


CONCLUSIONS
The information aid is a useful resource for women and primary care physicians and could facilitate appropriate risk assessment and management of women with a family history of breast cancer.
Warner
Ellen
E
Division of Medical Oncology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ont.
Carroll
June C
JC
Heisey
Ruth E
RE
Goel
Vivek
V
Meschino
Wendy S
WS
Lickley
H Lavina A
HL
Doan
Brian D
BD
Chart
Pamela L
PL
Orr
Vanessa
V
Lothian
Shelley
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013664:Teaching Materials