Mammography-related anxiety: effect of preprocedural patient education

• Published in: Women's health issues Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 110 - 115
• Main Authors: Mainiero, Martha B, Schepps, Barbara, Clements, Nancy C, Bird, Chloe E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anxiety; Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Female; Humans; Mammography - psychology; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1049-3867; 1878-4321
• DOI: 10.1016/S1049-3867(00)00071-2

Objectives: To determine the effect of preprocedural education on mammography-related anxiety. Materials and Methods: A total of 613 women undergoing mammography were surveyed regarding anxiety about the procedure and expected results. Half the study population watched an educational videotape and half watched an entertaining movie in the waiting room. Results: Anxiety levels about results were significantly higher than anxiety levels about the procedure ( P < .001). There was no difference in procedural or cancer anxiety levels among women shown the educational tape and those shown the entertaining movie. Conclusion: The fear of discovering breast cancer generates most of mammography-related anxiety. Preprocedural education did not affect procedural or cancer-related anxiety.