A qualitative evaluation of the experience of surgery after false positive results in screening for familial ovarian cancer

Abstract This study describes the experience of screening and surgery in a sample of women who received false positive results during screening for familial ovarian cancer. It was hypothesised that these women might feel bitter and hostile at having been exposed to so much anxiety and suffering for the removal of a cyst. The results from both prospective questionnaire measures and retrospective interviews indicated that women were neither severely distressed nor angry about their experiences. The sensitive management of the screening process by clinic staff and a remarkable faith in the benefits of early intervention held by the women involved, appeared to have contributed to this positive outcome. Women's acceptance of major surgery seemed to be based on the premise that body parts which were not crucial to survival, and which were at risk of malignancy, were best removed under the circumstances. They seemed to derive considerable comfort from the belief that surgery rendered them invulnerable to the disease that had, in most cases, caused their mother a painful death. Nevertheless, many women described considerable stress at various stages in the procedure. An improvement in the quality and timing of information may further reduce anxiety.