Depressive symptoms prescreening and postscreening among returning participants in an ovarian cancer early detection...

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Previous research has shown that initial ovarian cancer screening has the potential to cause depressive symptoms among women at increased risk for the disease but no study has evaluated depressive symptoms shortly after screening. This article explores depressive symptoms prescreening and postscreening in women returning to participate in an ovarian cancer early detection program. Seventy-two women, with a mean age of 48, most with a family history of ovarian cancer and/or a personal history of breast cancer, completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) immediately prior to screening and 1 week following. CES-D scores at prescreening (13%) were significantly lower than previously reported. No statistical differences in CES-D scores before and after screening were found, although 75% of women with elevated pre-CES-D scores had scores below the cutoff at postscreening. Although our numbers are lower than reported in previous studies, they are important because they emphasize the need for continued assessment of individuals who may be at greater risk for psychological distress related to cancer screening. Internationally, nurses play an important role in the recognition and support of patients undergoing cancer screening.