Introduction: Does breast density notification increase women's anxiety?
Methods: The emotional reactions and future screening intentions of women attending a public mammographic screening program in Western Australia were assessed by a survey comparing responses of 2,507 women who had been notified they had dense breasts to 2,817 women who had not been notified.
Results: Two-thirds of notified women indicated that knowing their breast density made them feel informed, 21% described feeling anxious, and 23% confused. Of the notified women who reported anxiety, 96% intended to re-screen when due, compared to 92% of women who had not been notified.
Conclusion: Self-reported anxiety following breast density notification within a population-based screening program was relatively low and also appears to increase women’s intentions for future screening, not the reverse. Arguments against breast density notification based on concerns of causing unnecessary anxiety appear to be largely unwarranted, although studies using measures of clinical anxiety are required to confirm this finding.
Journal of Clinical Medicine 2020. Full text here.
Understand your breast density and be informed of the risks and screening outcomes.
Stay informed and advocate for better breast health by joining InforMD. Sign up and learn more about this movement and be part of the change.
