Psychological impact of recall in high-risk breast MRI screening.
OBJECTIVE
To address the widespread concern that false-positive results during breast MRI screening may have adverse psychological effects.


METHODS
Impact of Event Scale measurements in 103 high-risk women enrolled in a longitudinal MRI screening study and comparison of subjects with normal results vs. those with prior recall events.


RESULTS
Of 189 MRI scans performed, 64 (34%) prompted further evaluation. Subjects with previously abnormal results had significantly higher Avoidance scores at the time of their second MRI. Multivariate analysis showed this was driven by the greater number of BRCA1/2 carriers in that group but was not related to screening recall.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioners' concerns about the high false positive rate of breast MRI may not be matched by actual psychological effects in most high-risk women.
O'Neill
Suzanne M
SM
Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Rubinstein
Wendy S
WS
Sener
Stephen F
SF
Weissman
Scott M
SM
Newlin
Anna C
AC
West
Daniel K
DK
Ecanow
David B
DB
Rademaker
Alfred W
AW
Edelman
Robert R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011859:Radiography