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Changes in cancer worry associated with participation in ovarian cancer screening
Author(s) -
Andersen M. Robyn,
Drescher Charles W.,
Zheng Yingye,
Bowen Deborah J.,
Wilson Susan,
Young Alicia,
McIntosh Martin,
Mahony Barry S.,
Lowe Kimberly A.,
Urban Nicole
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1151
Subject(s) - worry , ovarian cancer , medicine , randomized controlled trial , cancer , family history , oncology , quality of life (healthcare) , gynecology , psychiatry , anxiety , nursing
While ovarian cancer is rare and screening is not recommended for most women, it is being studied as a way to reduce ovarian cancer mortality. As effective strategies for screening emerge it will be important to understand the quality of life (QOL) effects of participation in ovarian cancer screening. In this study, we examined the effects of participation in an ovarian cancer screening program on worry about cancer risk and QOL. A randomized controlled clinical trial ( n = 592) was conducted. Women without a family history suggestive of a BRCA1/2 mutation were randomly assigned to screening and risk counseling, separately and in combination. Results were compared to women randomized to usual care alone. Levels of cancer worry fell for all study groups and QOL was unaffected; no statistically significant differences were found between groups. Increased levels of worry about ovarian cancer at 2‐year follow‐up were found among participants in screening receiving abnormal test results. For those who receive abnormal results, screening may have long‐term effects and increase worry about cancer risk. Further research will be required to examine the possibility that screening reduces worry when women receive only normal, presumably reassuring, results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.