Nadelige effecten van een afwijkend screeningsmammogram op kwaliteit van leven en angstbeleving*

Objective

Analysis of the adverse psychosocial consequences of a breast cancer screening programme, in particular the effects of a false-positive screening mammogram on quality of life, and resulting anxiety.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Methods

From September 2002 to January 2007, 385 women with an abnormal screening mammogram were included. Of these, 152 women were diagnosed with breast cancer (BC group), and 233 had a false-positive result (FP group). Questionnaires concerning anxiety (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory) and quality of life (QoL; World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument 100) were completed before diagnosis, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months later.

Results

The women in the FP group were younger (57 vs. 60 years; p < 0.001) and biopsy for histological examination was carried out more often (p < 0.001).The personality factor trait anxiety was strongly associated with quality of life. Women in the FP group with a high score on trait anxiety had the lowest QoL on all measurements (p < 0.001). This group of women scored higher on anxiety than women in the FP group with a low score on trait anxiety and the women in the BC group with a low trait anxiety score (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

After being given a false-positive diagnosis following a screening mammogram, women experienced a lower QoL and more anxiety, particularly women with a high score on trait anxiety. For this reason it is important to provide women with better information about the possible adverse psychological effects of a national screening programme, so that they are able to make an informed decision on whether or not to take part.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.