Experiences of recall after mammography screening--a qualitative study

Health Care Women Int. 2011 Nov;32(11):1009-27. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2011.565530.

Abstract

Women participating in biannual mammography screening for 20 years have a cumulative risk of 20% of being recalled. We conducted a prospective qualitative interview study with eight nonsymptomatic women recalled after mammography screening. These women expressed mixed emotions over being recalled. Information about recall rates and breast cancer risk was seen as alarming, and cancer risk estimates were seen by some as high. The short time between recall and examination was reassuring, but it was also perceived as an indication of malignancy. Despite distress from examinations, most of the women continued to want medical examinations to detect cancer early.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Early Detection of Cancer / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Mammography / psychology*
  • Mass Screening / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • Women's Health