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Women's responses to the mammography experience
1Division of Population Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19012.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Many women experience anxiety and pain during mammograms, with nonwhite women and those with less education reporting higher anxiety. Explaining the procedure can significantly reduce anxiety and improve future screening intentions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Women's Health
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Mammography anxiety, embarrassment, and pain are known barriers to screening.
- The prevalence and nature of negative mammography experiences are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate women's actual experiences during mammograms.
- To identify factors contributing to negative mammography experiences.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 255 women immediately after mammograms.
- Data collected at three breast-imaging centers in the Philadelphia area.
Main Results:
- 60% of women reported anxiety, with 20% extremely anxious.
- Nonwhite women and those with less education reported higher anxiety.
- White women reported pain more often than African-American women.
- Physician explanation of the procedure correlated with lower anxiety (61% vs. 37%).
- 34% of first-time mammogram patients indicated their experience affected future screening plans.
Conclusions:
- Explaining the mammography procedure can reduce patient anxiety.
- Improved communication may increase future mammography intentions.
- Addressing patient concerns can lead to better screening experiences.