The influence of a false-positive mammogram on a woman's subsequent behaviour for detecting breast cancer

Eur J Cancer. 2003 Aug;39(12):1730-7. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(02)00451-3.

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the influence of undergoing further examinations due to a false-positive mammogram on women's re-attendance at the next scheduled screening and their frequency of breast self-examination (BSE). Study participants included 517 women (62% response) recalled due to findings on screening mammograms indicating possible malignancies, and a matched control group of 285 women (68% response) with normal mammograms. Participants completed five and three questionnaires, respectively, during the 2 years following screening participation. While the groups did not differ significantly in screening re-attendance, women recalled due to false-positive mammograms reported significantly higher levels of anxiety related to the next screening than did women with normal mammograms. At the 1-year assessment, women with false-positive mammograms reported a significantly higher frequency of BSE than did women with normal mammograms. The present results indicate that being recalled due to a false-positive mammogram does not seem to negatively affect screening re-attendance, and may have a positive impact on BSE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Breast Self-Examination / psychology*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Mammography / psychology*
  • Mammography / standards
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology