Psychological response to test results in an ovarian cancer screening program: a prospective, longitudinal study.
To identify the psychological impact of receipt of an abnormal yet benign screening test result, the authors examined the response to a transvaginal ultrasound screening (TVS) test for ovarian cancer (OC) in asymptomatic women (N=540) undergoing an initial TVS screening test. Interviews were conducted prior to undergoing TVS screening and at 2 weeks and 4 months following this baseline. Women receiving an abnormal yet benign TVS test result (n=33) reported elevated OC-specific, but not general, distress at 2-week follow-up. Distress returned to baseline levels at 4-month follow-up. Consistent with the monitoring process and cognitive-social health information processing models, response to an abnormal TVS result was moderated by a monitoring coping style, low optimism, and a family history of OC.
Andrykowski
Michael A
MA
Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, USA. mandry@uky.edu.
Boerner
Laura M
LM
Salsman
John M
JM
Pavlik
Edward
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004552:Elder Abuse; D019160:Endosonography / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role