Women's experiences with breast biopsy

• Main Author: Riese, Sharon Laura
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2001
• Subjects: Biopsy; Nursing; Women
• ISBN: 0493185720; 9780493185729

Twenty-two women between the ages of 19 and 82 who had breast biopsies with local anesthesia were interviewed for this descriptive qualitative study. Fourteen women had stereotactic biopsies, seven had excisional biopsies, and one had a core needle biopsy. Sixteen women had benign results, the other six were diagnosed with cancer. Interviews were conducted as soon as possible after the biopsies when women had their pathological results. Open-ended questions were used to determine how women described their experiences from the time of discovery of the breast abnormality until the interview. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview analysis using initial and focused coding techniques revealed ten categories that emerged from the data. These categories fell under the themes of certitude, care, and justice. Categories that made up the theme of certitude were (a) seeking certainty, (b) taking away my control, and, (c) keeping me informed. The theme of care was made up of (a) reassurance, (b) seeking support, (c) keeping the focus on me, and, (d) trust. The theme of justice was comprised of (a) unfairness/disbelief, (b) transcendental equity, and, (c) advocacy. The categories represented women's needs and perceptions from the time of the discovery of the breast abnormality until the end of the post-operative phase. Women's most pervasive need was to have the biopsy results as soon as possible. For the majority of women, detecting a breast abnormality was an extremely anxiety provoking event, and they wanted to proceed from detection to diagnosis as quickly as possible. Most sought support from family and friends; many turned to their religious beliefs for strength in getting through this time. Most of the women said their experiences made them advocates for breast health. Most women viewed the entire experience as extremely anxiety provoking. However, the most unexpected finding was that women did not view the operative phase of the biopsy with the degree of trepidation that the researcher expected. Rather, the operative phase of the biopsy was viewed as a stepping stone to gaining certitude associated with having the pathological results. No published literature was found that addressed the operative phase of breast biopsies, even though the majority of them are done with local anesthesia. Therefore, comparisons to other research cannot be carried out. Additional research in this area would be beneficial so findings could be compared to those from this study.