Why Patients Decline Digital Breast Tomosynthesis? Results From a Patient Survey in an Urban Academic Breast Center

Despite the advantages of reduced callback rates, higher sensitivity, and higher specificity associated with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) over traditional full-field digital mammography (FFDM), many patients declined DBT at our urban academic breast center. Most states also do not have mandated insurance coverage for DBT.

A patient survey was conducted at our breast center from February 2017 to April 2017. All patients were informed regarding the potential benefits of DBT as well as the potential additional charge related to DBT, which depended on the insurance coverage. The survey aimed to examine why the patient declined the DBT option. Reasons included cost, increased radiation risk, anxiety about newer technology, discomfort associated with the exam, lack of education about potential benefits, or patient belief that she will not benefit from DBT. We also inquired if patients would change their opinion about DBT if cost were removed. Patients answered each question by rating their responses on a scale of 1-5, from strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree.

Potential additional cost associated with tomosynthesis had the highest influence on patient decision to decline DBT with an average score of 4.68 out of 5. Other factors as described above had less impact on the patient decision with an average score ranging from 1.53-1.72 out of 5.

Potential out-of-pocket cost for patients remains one of the major obstacles in adoption of DBT as standard of care for breast cancer screening.