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Perception of breast cancer risk and surveillance behaviours of women with family history of breast cancer: A brief report on a Spanish cohort
Author(s) -
Gil Francisco,
Méndez Ignacio,
Sirgo Agustina,
Llort Gemma,
Blanco Ignacio,
CortésFunes Hernán
Publication year - 2003
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.704
Subject(s) - breast cancer , family history , medicine , population , cohort , distress , gynecology , quality of life (healthcare) , breast cancer screening , breast disease , cancer , obstetrics , mammography , clinical psychology , environmental health , nursing
Women with a family history of breast cancer (FHBC) are at increased risk for developing this disease. In this study, we have investigated the differences between two groups of women; those with family history of breast cancer ( N =42) and women at population risk ( N =42) in a Spanish cohort. Questionnaires assessed distress, perception of breast cancer risk, screening behaviours, coping skills, personality and quality of life. Neither group received genetic counselling before or after this study. Women with FHBC overestimated their risk of developing breast cancer. They report a subjective risk of developing breast cancer of 50%, with their actual risk, using the risk tables elaborated by Claus et al . ( Cancer 1994, 73 : 643), being only 15% ( p <0.05). Discriminant function analysis revealed the patients' information about breast cancer, worries about breast cancer, perception of risk based on family history, perception of lifetime risk of breast cancer and quality of life were the five variables that distinguished between both groups. Only 34% of women in the FHBC group performed monthly breast self‐examination, 24% (10 subjects) had never attended previously for clinical breast examination and 45% (19 subjects) had never undergone a mammogram. This group of women had a significantly lower level of general satisfaction ( p <0.05), an indicator of Quality of Life. The results support the need for developing psychological intervention for women with family history of breast cancer in order to increase adherence to surveillance behaviours, reduce distress, improve quality of life, and assure the earliest detection of breast cancer. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.