Using an informed consent in mammography screening: a randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Health Communication

Background:

• Informed decision-making regarding breast cancer screening (BCS) is crucial for women's health.
• Current information provided to Spanish women may not adequately support informed choices about BCS.
• Understanding the impact of specific information interventions on women's knowledge and attitudes is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of providing comprehensive BCS benefits and risks information on women's knowledge, attitudes, and psychosocial impact.
• To assess whether tailored information influences women's decisions regarding cancer screening.
• To compare the efficacy of Nordic Cochrane Centre information versus standard information.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 355 women aged 45-67 years.
• Participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG) receiving Nordic Cochrane Centre BCS information or a control group (CG) receiving standard information.
• Knowledge was assessed via questionnaires at baseline and one month post-intervention, with secondary outcomes including attitudes, intentions, and psychosocial impact.

Main Results:

• Significantly more women in the IG (18.10%) achieved "good knowledge" (score ≥5) compared to the CG (8.40%) (P = 0.008).
• Mean knowledge scores increased significantly in both groups, with a greater increase observed in the IG (P = 0.002).
• No significant differences were found between groups regarding attitudes, future screening intentions, or psychosocial impact.

Conclusions:

• Information based on the Nordic Cochrane Centre document improved women's knowledge about breast cancer screening.
• The intervention, while enhancing knowledge, was not sufficiently efficacious in modifying attitudes, decisions, feelings, or worries about cancer.
• Effective strategies are needed to improve informed decision-making and address the psychosocial aspects of cancer screening.