title: Psychological impact and acceptability of magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray mammography: the MARIBS Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As part of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Breast Screening (MARIBS), Study women with a family history of breast cancer were assessed psychologically to determine the relative psychological impact and acceptability of annual screening using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional X-ray mammography (XRM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were assessed psychologically at baseline (4 weeks before MRI and XRM), immediately before, and immediately after, both MRI and XRM, and at follow-up (6 weeks after the scans).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, both procedures were found to be acceptable with high levels of satisfaction (MRI, 96.3% and XRM, 97.7%; NS) and low levels of psychological morbidity throughout, particularly at 6-week follow-up. Low levels of self-reported distress were reported for both procedures (MRI, 13.5% and XRM, 7.8%), although MRI was more distressing (P=0.005). Similarly, higher anticipatory anxiety was reported before MRI than before XRM (P=0.003). Relative to XRM, MRI-related distress was more likely to persist at 6 weeks after the scans in the form of intrusive MRI-related thoughts (P=0.006) and total MRI-related distress (P=0.014). More women stated that they intended to return for XRM (96.3%) than for MRI (88%; P<0.0005). These effects were most marked for the first year of screening, although they were also statistically significant in subsequent years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the proven benefits of MRI in screening for breast cancer in this population, these data point to the urgent need to provide timely information and support to women undergoing MRI.
authors.affiliation: North Lanarkshire Council, 73-77 Merry Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire ML1 1JE, UK. HuttonJe@northlan.gov.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eeles
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kwan-Lim
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pointon
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Leach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014965:X-Rays