The impact of abnormal mammograms on psychosocial outcomes and subsequent screening

Few studies have examined the impact of abnormal mammograms on subsequent mammography screening and psychosocial outcomes specifically as a function of the length of time that has passed since the abnormal test result. This cross‐sectional report compared breast cancer screening practices and psychosocial outcomes among three groups of women. These groups were women who (1) never had an abnormal mammogram, (2) had an abnormal mammogram 2 or more years prior to the study's baseline interview, and (3) had an abnormal mammogram within 2 years prior to the study's baseline interview. Women who had an abnormal mammogram at least 2 years prior to the baseline interview expressed greater 10‐year and lifetime risks of getting breast cancer than women who never had an abnormal mammogram. Women who had abnormal mammograms, independent of when they occurred, were substantially more worried about getting breast cancer than were women who never had abnormal mammograms. Women who had an abnormal mammogram within 2 years prior to the baseline interview were more likely to be on schedule for mammography, compared with women who never had an abnormal mammogram. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. These results suggest that (1) few differences exist in perceived breast cancer risk and worry as a function of when an abnormal mammogram occurred, and (2) subsequent screening behavior is most affected by whether an abnormal mammogram occurred within 2 years from the interview. Not surprisingly, more recent experiences of abnormal mammograms had a greater influence on behavior.