The psychological impact of mammographic screening. A systematic review

Healthcare professionals' experiences of caring for women with false-positive screening test results in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme

BACKGROUND

Understanding healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of caring for women with false-positive screening test results in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) is important for reducing the impact of such results.

METHODS

Interviews were undertaken with 12 HCPs from a single NHSBSP unit, including advanced radiographer practitioners, breast radiographers, breast radiologists, clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and a radiology healthcare assistant. Data were analysed thematically using Template Analysis.

RESULTS

Two themes were produced: (1) Gauging and navigating women's anxiety during screening assessment was an inevitable and necessary task for all participants. CNSs were perceived as particularly adept at this, while breast radiographers reported a lack of adequate formal training. (2) Controlling the delivery of information to women (including amount, type and timing of information). HCPs reported various communication strategies to facilitate women's information processing and retention during a distressing time.

CONCLUSIONS

Women's anxiety could be reduced through dedicated CNS support, but this should not replace support from other HCPs. Breast radiographers may benefit from more training to emotionally support recalled women. While HCPs emphasised taking a patient-centred communication approach, the use of other strategies (e.g., standardised scripts) and the constraints of the 'one-stop shop' model pose challenges to such an approach.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

During the study design, two Patient and Public Involvement members (women with false-positive-breast screening test results) were consulted to gain an understanding of patient perspectives and experiences of being recalled specifically in the NHSBSP. Their feedback informed the formulations of the research aim, objectives and the direction of the interview guide.

Emotion constructs and outcome measures following false positive breast screening test results: A systematic review of reporting clarity and selection rationale

OBJECTIVE

(i) To systematically identify constructs and outcome measures used to assess the emotional and mood impact of false positive breast screening test results; (ii) to appraise the reporting clarity and rationale for selecting constructs and outcome measures.

METHODS

Databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were systematically searched from 1970. Studies using standardised and non-standardised outcome measures to evaluate the emotion or mood impact of false positive breast screening test results were eligible. A 15-item coding scheme was devised to appraise articles on clarity and rationale for selected constructs and measures.

RESULTS

Forty-seven articles were identified. The most investigated constructs were general anxiety and depression and disease-specific anxiety and worry. Twenty-two standardised general outcome questionnaire measures and three standardised disease-specific outcome questionnaire measures were identified. Twenty articles used non-standardised scales/items. Reporting of constructs and outcome measures was generally clear, but rationales for their selection were lacking. Anxiety was typically justified, but justification for depression was almost always absent. Practical and psychometric justification for selecting outcome measures was lacking, and theoretical rationale was absent.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterogeneity in constructs and measures, coupled with unclear rationale for these, impedes a thorough understanding of why there are emotional effects of false positive screening test results. This may explain the repeated practice of investigating less relevant outcomes such as depression. There is need to develop a consensual conceptual model of and standardised approach to measuring emotional impact from cancer screening test results, to address heterogeneity and other known issues of interpreting an inconsistent evidence base.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors among Women with Solid Breast Lesions

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women worldwide and one of the most curable cancers if diagnosed at an early stage. Female patients presenting solid breast lesions are greatly predisposed to breast cancer development, and as such, effective screening of high-risk patients is valuable in early-stage breast cancer detection.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to identify the most relevant demographic, reproductive and lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer among women with solid breast lesions living in western Romania, namely the urban region consisting of Timisoara and the rural surrounding regions.

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2021, 1161 patients with solid breast lesions, as detected by sonoelastography, were divided into two groups: patients with benign lesions (1019, 87.77%) and patients with malignant nodules (142, 12.23%). The malignancy group was confirmed by a histopathological result. Variables including age, BMI, menarche, menopause, years of exposure to estrogen, number of births, breastfeeding period, use of oral combined contraceptives, smoker status, family medical history and living area (rural-urban) were recorded.

RESULTS

It was evidenced by our study that the main risk factors for malignancy were elevated age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.08), BMI (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.10), living area (rural) (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.13-2.85) and family medical history (negative) (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.43-8.29). The other proposed risk factors were not found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and BMI were observed to be the most significant factors for breast cancer risk increase, followed by living in a rural area. A family history of breast cancer was shown to be inversely correlated with cancer risk increase.

Predictive Performance of Cell-Free Nucleic Acid-Based Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cancer-screening tests that can detect multiple cancer types, or multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, have emerged recently as a potential new tool in decreasing cancer morbidity and mortality. Most MCED assays are based on detecting cell-free tumor DNA (CF-DNA) in the blood. MCEDs offer the potential for screening for cancer organ sites with high mortality, both with and without recommended screening. However, their clinical utility has not been established. Before clinical utility can be established, the clinical validity of MCEDs, i.e., their ability to predict cancer status, must be demonstrated. In this study we performed a systematic review of the predictive ability for cancer of cell-free-nucleic acid-based MCED tests.

CONTENT

We searched PubMed for relevant publications from January 2017 to February 2023, using MeSH terms related to multi-cancer detection, circulating DNA, and related concepts. Of 1811 publications assessed, 61 were reviewed in depth and 20 are included in this review. For almost all studies, the cancer cases were assessed at time of diagnosis. Most studies reported specificity (generally 95% or higher) and overall sensitivity (73% median). The median number of cancer types assessed per assay was 5. Many studies also reported sensitivity by stage and/or cancer type. Sensitivity generally increased with stage.

SUMMARY

To date, relatively few published studies have assessed the clinical validity of MCED tests. Most used cancer cases assessed at diagnosis, with generally high specificity and variable sensitivity depending on cancer type and stage. The next steps should be testing in the intended-use population, i.e., asymptomatic persons.

Knowledge and Perceived Emotions Regarding an Anal Cancer Preventive Program in People Diagnosed With HIV: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

To the best of our knowledge, no studies have yet examined the emotional repercussions of the care processes among people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who participate in preventive anal cancer screening programs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the knowledge, emotions, sexuality, barriers, and facilitators perceived by this patient group during the process of anal cancer screening and diagnosis.

METHODS

Detailed, semistructured, qualitative interviews were completed with 17 men and 3 women to explore their knowledge, experiences, and emotions regarding the screening process. Purposive sampling was conducted on the basis of age, gender, and type of lesion diagnosed in the anal biopsy.

RESULTS

Four major themes were identified: 1) knowledge of the disease and its treatment, 2) emotions perceived by the patients, 3) the influence of screening on sexual practices, and 4) facilitators and obstacles during the care provision process. Patients reported appropriate knowledge of anal cancer and human papillomavirus. Predominant emotions were worry and fear with avoidance as one of the coping strategies.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that communication of information and clinical results can be improved.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

Understanding the facilitators and barriers to the program will allow the integration of interventions designed to improve healthcare provision into direct care.

PROSPECTIVE POSTMORTEM ASSESSMENT OF THE INCIDENCE OF MAMMARY NEOPLASIA IN CHIMPANZEES (PAN TROGLODYTES)

When evaluating the last 25 yr of morbidity and mortality from adult chimpanzees managed within the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan® for North American zoos, only two female chimpanzees were diagnosed with mammary neoplasia: one incidentally antemortem and one with a terminal metastatic neoplasia. When comparing this observation of prevalence of mammary neoplasia to humans, a substantial disparity is apparent. Mammary neoplasia is the second most common cancer in adult female humans, with a lifetime risk of 1:8 in the United States. The reason for the disparity between humans and chimpanzees, as closely related species, is unknown. The true prevalence in chimpanzees may be higher than currently noted, because routine examination of mammary tissue in chimpanzees is generally less complete than for other tissues postmortem, and antemortem assessment is generally limited to mammary palpation. This study was performed on intact, bilateral mammary glands harvested at postmortem examination of adult female chimpanzees (n = 7) from six institutions. With mammography, complete histopathologic sectioning, and genetic evaluation, the risk of mammary neoplasia was evaluated more thoroughly than during a typical postmortem exam in zoo populations during 2017-2019. No chimpanzees in the study were diagnosed with mammary neoplasia. Overall, this study supports the previous impression that chimpanzees do not develop mammary neoplasia at a similar rate as humans, even when comparable diagnostic modalities for evaluation are used.

Improving Time to Diagnostic Resolution in the Breast Imaging Service: A Tertiary Center's Experience and Process of Improvement

OBJECTIVE

Breast imaging services often experience a significant degree of variability in patient flow, leading to delay in time to diagnostic resolution, commonly referred to as time to resolution (TTR). This study applies Lean Six Sigma Methodology (LSSM) to reduce TTR and enhance patient outcomes.

METHODS

This study was IRB-approved. A baseline audit was done using cases of mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) to measure baseline TTR. Multidisciplinary meetings with all members of the breast imaging service, alongside a study of patient complaint data, were utilized to identify issues that were causing prolonged TTR. Following that, possible solutions were proposed and implemented. A post-implementation audit was conducted, and the resulting TTRs were compared. Significant differences in TTR between the pre- and post-solution implementation were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

During the baseline audit of 8 months, 589 cases of mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) were identified, and the resulting average TTR was 86.3 days. During the post-implementation period of 3 months, 370 mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) occurred, with a resulting average TTR of 36.0 days. After applying LSSM, TTR was reduced by 58.3% (P < 0.01). Some changes implemented included training the coordinators, establishing a rapid diagnostic clinic using previously underutilized equipment, and having radiologists assigned full-time to the breast imaging service.

CONCLUSION

Our team has successfully managed to identify various causes behind the prolonged TTR using LSSM. Team collaboration was essential to study and decide on a more achievable TTR.

Psychological Impact of the Galleri test (sIG(n)al): protocol for a longitudinal evaluation of the psychological impact of receiving a cancer signal in the NHS-Galleri trial

INTRODUCTION

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests look for cancer signals in cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid. These tests have the potential to detect cancers at an earlier (asymptomatic) stage, improving cancer outcomes. Any screening method needs careful consideration of the psychological harms prior to implementation. The aim of this research is to explore the psychological impact of having a cancer signal detected following an MCED blood test.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The project is embedded in the NHS-Galleri trial (ISRCTN91431511; NCT05611632), a large clinical trial in eight Cancer Alliances in England. In the trial, over 140 000 members of the general population aged 50-77 have been randomised 1:1 to either the intervention (blood tested with MCED test) or control (blood stored) arm. The proposed project focuses on participants in the intervention arm, who have a cancer signal detected. All participants who have a cancer signal detected (expected to be around 700 assuming a 1% test positive rate) will be sent a questionnaire at three timepoints: soon after receiving their result, 6 months and approximately 12 months later. The primary outcome is anxiety, assessed using the short-form 6-item Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory. We will also assess the psychological consequences of screening (using the Psychological Consequences of Screening Questionnaire), reassurance/concern about the test result, understanding of results and help/health-seeking behaviour. A subsample of 40 participants (20 with a cancer diagnosis and 20 for whom no cancer was found) will be invited to take part in a one-to-one semistructured interview.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval for this work has been granted by the Wales Research Ethics Committee as part of the NHS-Galleri trial (Ref 21/WA/0141). Consent to be sent questionnaires is collected as part of the main trial. A separate consent form will be required for interview. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.

Discussion and Optimization of the Male Breast Cancer Patient Experience

Breast cancer in men is rare and often overlooked as there is a misconception that it is a gendered disease that affects women only. The feminization, or "pinkification," of the disease has been socially constructed to raise awareness, improve screening, and empower women but has not addressed the occurrence of the illness in men. Men may therefore experience unique psychosocial difficulties when faced with a disease that predominantly affects women, including feelings of disbelief and embarrassment that impact their sense of self and challenge their masculinity. The lack of mammographic screening in men, lack of public awareness, and the shame that develops during the time of diagnosis can result in treatment avoidant behaviors, a delayed presentation, and worse prognosis in men. Although male breast cancer (MBC) is uncommon, the incidence is increasing; therefore, efforts should be made to enhance education for health care professionals and the general public in order to lessen the stigma, with the goal of improving outcomes. Furthermore, special attention to the unique medical needs and hurdles encountered by transgender males can break down health care barriers in this marginalized patient population. This article offers male perceptions on breast cancer, the psychosocial implications of being diagnosed with a gendered disease, and suggestions on how to improve the MBC experience.

New Mental Health Diagnosis as a Prognostic Factor for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

To examine differences in survival outcomes for muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients stratified by new mental health diagnosis.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data, we identified patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer between 2008 and 2014. Our primary outcome was cancer-specific and overall hazards of mortality. As a secondary outcome, we reported predictors of developing a new mental health diagnosis after bladder cancer diagnosis. We used Cox proportional hazards models to determine the impact of palliative care and mental health diagnoses on survival outcomes after adjusting for grade, stage, comorbidity index, and baseline demographics.

RESULTS

Of the 3794 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1193 (31%) were diagnosed with a mental health illness after their bladder cancer diagnosis during the 6 years in the study period. The most common diagnoses were depression (13%), alcohol and drug abuse (12%), and anxiety (11%). Patients with a post-bladder cancer mental health diagnosis had a 57% higher hazard of overall mortality (HR 1.57, P = .048) and an 80% higher hazard of bladder cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.81, P = .037) CONCLUSIONS: New mental health diagnoses are associated with worse survival in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. This suggests that a multimodal approach to bladder cancer treatment should include addressing the non-oncologic needs of the patient to optimize survival outcomes.

Prioritizing Screening Mammograms for Immediate Interpretation and Diagnostic Evaluation on the Basis of Risk for Recall

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to develop a prioritization strategy for scheduling immediate screening mammographic interpretation and possible diagnostic evaluation.

METHODS

A population-based cohort with screening mammograms performed from 2012 to 2020 at 126 radiology facilities from 7 Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium registries was identified. Classification trees identified combinations of clinical history (age, BI-RADS® density, time since prior mammogram, history of false-positive recall or biopsy result), screening modality (digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis), and facility characteristics (profit status, location, screening volume, practice type, academic affiliation) that grouped screening mammograms by recall rate, with ≥12/100 considered high and ≥16/100 very high. An efficiency ratio was estimated as the percentage of recalls divided by the percentage of mammograms.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 2,674,051 screening mammograms in 925,777 women, with 235,569 recalls. The most important predictor of recall was time since prior mammogram, followed by age, history of false-positive recall, breast density, history of benign biopsy, and screening modality. Recall rates were very high for baseline mammograms (21.3/100; 95% confidence interval, 19.7-23.0) and high for women with ≥5 years since prior mammogram (15.1/100; 95% confidence interval, 14.3-16.1). The 9.2% of mammograms in subgroups with very high and high recall rates accounted for 19.2% of recalls, an efficiency ratio of 2.1 compared with a random approach. Adding women <50 years of age with dense breasts accounted for 20.3% of mammograms and 33.9% of recalls (efficiency ratio = 1.7). Results including facility-level characteristics were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Prioritizing women with baseline mammograms or ≥5 years since prior mammogram for immediate interpretation and possible diagnostic evaluation could considerably reduce the number of women needing to return for diagnostic imaging at another visit.

Team Science Principles Enhance Cancer Care Delivery Quality Improvement: Interdisciplinary Implementation of Breast Cancer Screening Shared Decision Making

PURPOSE

Implementing shared decision making (SDM), recommended in screening mammography by national guidelines for women age 40-49 years, faces challenges that innovations in quality improvement and team science (TS) are poised to address. We aimed to improve the effectiveness, patient-centeredness, and efficiency of SDM in primary care for breast cancer screening.

METHODS

Our interdisciplinary team included primary and specialty care, psychology, epidemiology, communication science, engineering, and stakeholders (patients and clinicians). Over a 6-year period, we executed two iterative cycles of plan-do-study-act (PDSA) to develop, revise, and implement a SDM tool using TS principles. Patient and physician surveys and retrospective analysis of tool performance informed our first PDSA cycle. Patient and physician surveys, toolkit use, and clinical outcomes in the second PDSA cycle supported SDM implementation. We gathered team member assessments on the importance of individual TS activities.

RESULTS

Our first PDSA cycle successfully generated a SDM tool called Breast Cancer Risk Estimator, deemed valuable by 87% of patients surveyed. Our second PDSA cycle increased Breast Cancer Risk Estimator utilization, from 2,000 sessions in 2017 to 4,097 sessions in 2019 while maintaining early-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Although TS activities such as culture, trust, and communication needed to be sustained throughout the project, shared goals, research/data infrastructure support, and leadership were more important earlier in the project and persisted in the later stages of the project.

CONCLUSION

Combining rigorous quality improvement and TS principles can support the complex, interdependent, and interdisciplinary activities necessary to improve cancer care delivery exemplified by our implementation of a breast cancer screening SDM tool.

High Risk Breast Cancer Screening is a Double Edged Sword: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives on the Ontario High Risk Breast Cancer Screening Program

BACKGROUND

MRI-based breast cancer screening for high-risk women has been associated with false positives. This study explored the benefits and drawbacks of MRI-based screening using in-depth patient interviews.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study of interviews with women participating in the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program. Women enrolled at two centers who had completed at least one round of screening were invited to participate. Recruitment was suspended when thematic saturation was reached. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Emergent themes were identified and a coding framework established.

RESULTS

21 women (median age 41 years) participated in telephone interviews. Women had been in the program a median of 4 years (IQR 1-5), and 71% had experienced at least one abnormal screen. Eight participants (38%) had undergone biopsies. Six women (29%) were BRCA mutation carriers. MRIs were described as intimidating, uncomfortable, and claustrophobic. Participants were concerned about long-term exposure to gadolinium contrast. Compared to MRI, mammography alone was viewed as painful, less sensitive, and a "useless…waste of time." MRI provided a "psychological safety net" that outweighed the distress associated with abnormal screens. Many women accepted this trade-off as a "two-edged sword" that was "worth it" and provided a sense of control. Suggestions for improvement included more information regarding the risks of MRI, and access to counselling.

CONCLUSIONS

Women participating in MRI-based screening strongly value reassurance from a highly sensitive screening test. This outweighed the distress of abnormal screens. There are areas for improvement around patient communication and psychosocial support.

"It Will Lead You to Make Better Decisions about Your Health"-A Focus Group and Survey Study on Women's Attitudes towards Risk-Based Breast Cancer Screening and Personalised Risk Assessments

Singapore launched a population-based organised mammography screening (MAM) programme in 2002. However, uptake is low. A better understanding of breast cancer (BC) risk factors has generated interest in shifting from a one-size-fits-all to a risk-based screening approach. However, public acceptability of the change is lacking. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 54 women (median age 37.5 years) with no BC history. Eight online sessions were transcribed, coded, and thematically analysed. Additionally, we surveyed 993 participants in a risk-based MAM study on how they felt in anticipation of receiving their risk profiles. Attitudes towards MAM (e.g., fear, low perceived risk) have remained unchanged for ~25 years. However, FGD participants reported that they would be more likely to attend routine mammography after having their BC risks assessed, despite uncertainty and concerns about risk-based screening. This insight was reinforced by the survey participants reporting more positive than negative feelings before receiving their risk reports. There is enthusiasm in knowing personal disease risk but concerns about the level of support for individuals learning they are at higher risk for breast cancer. Our results support the empowering of Singaporean women with personal health information to improve MAM uptake.

The half-painted picture: Reviewing the mental health impacts of cancer screening

Cancer screening is recommended for select cancers worldwide. Cancer screening has become increasingly effective and accessible and often increases overall survival. However, the mental health effects of cancer screening, such as its impact on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are largely unknown. Conflicting available literature indicates the negative, neutral, and positive mental health effects of cancer screening across cancer types. There are a limited number of randomized controlled trials measuring the mental health effects of cancer screening. Overall, the more negative and life-threatening the screening results, the greater the mental health effects. Screening for cancer without a known precursor, for example, due to family history, can have positive impacts such as decreased worry and increased quality of life. However, receiving a cancer diagnosis often has negative mental effects that increase with the life-threatening potential of malignancy. In this study, we review the existing literature and provide recommendations for future research to determine if and when cancer screening is the best practice.

Can Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) Reduce Benign Breast Biopsy?

Objectives

To evaluate the potential of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) in reducing benign breast biopsy rate, thereby improving resource utilization. To explore its potential as a value-adding modality in the management of BI-RADS 4/5 lesions.

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective study conducted between July 2016 and September 2018. Patients with BI-RADS 4/5 lesions detected on conventional imaging (mammogram, digital breast tomosynthesis, and ultrasound) were enrolled for adjunct CESM. Histopathologic correlation was done for all lesions. Additional suspicious lesions detected on CESM were all identified on second-look ultrasound and subsequently biopsied. Images were evaluated independently by two radiologists trained in breast imaging using BI-RADS classification. Presence of enhancement on CESM, BI-RADS score, and histopathology of each lesion were analyzed and tested with the chi-square/fisher-exact test for statistical significance.

Results

The study included 105 lesions in 63 participants—1 man and 62 women, an average age of 53.7 ± 10.8 years. On CESM, 22 (20.9%) of the lesions did not show enhancement. All 22 lesions had been classified as BI-RADS 4A and were subsequently proven to be benign. Of the remaining 83 enhancing lesions, 54 (65.1%) were malignant and 29 (34.9%) were benign (p < 0.05). CESM detected 6 additional lesions which were not identified on initial conventional imaging. Four of these were proven malignant and were in a different quadrant than the primary lesion investigated.

Conclusion

There is evidence that the absence of enhancement in CESM strongly favors benignity. It may provide the reporting radiologist with greater confidence in imaging assessment, especially in BI-RADS 4A cases, where a proportion of them are in actuality BI-RADS 3. Greater accuracy of BI-RADS grading can reduce nearly half of benign biopsies and allow better resource allocation. CESM also increases the detection rate of potentially malignant lesions, thereby changing the treatment strategies.

Patient-reported outcomes associated with cancer screening: a systematic review

Background

Multi-cancer early detection tests have been developed to enable earlier detection of multiple cancer types through screening. As reflected by patient-reported outcomes (PROs), the psychosocial impact of cancer screening is not yet clear. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of cancer screening through PRO assessment.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and reference lists of articles from January 2000 to August 2020 for relevant publications assessing the psychosocial impact of cancer screening before and within 1 year after screening in the general asymptomatic population, including following receipt of results. Studies focused on diagnostic evaluation or involving patients previously diagnosed with cancer were excluded.

Results

In total, 31 studies (12 randomized controlled trials; 19 observational studies) were included, reflecting PRO assessments associated with lung, breast, colorectal, anal, ovarian, cervical, and prostate cancer screening procedures. The most commonly assessed construct was symptoms of anxiety, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Cancer-specific distress and worry were also assessed using a broad range of measures. Overall, individuals tolerated screening procedures well with no major psychosocial effects. Of note, increases in symptoms of anxiety and levels of distress and worry were generally found prior to communication of screening results and following communication of indeterminate or positive results that required further testing. These negative psychosocial effects were, however, not long-lasting and returned to baseline relatively soon after screening. Furthermore, individuals with higher cancer risk, such as current smokers and those with a family history of cancer, tended to have higher levels of anxiety and distress throughout the screening process, including following negative or indeterminate results.

Conclusions

The psychosocial impact of cancer screening is relatively low overall and short-lived, even following false-positive test results. Individuals with a higher risk of cancer tend to experience more symptoms of anxiety and distress during the screening process; thus, more attention to this group is recommended.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09261-5.

Experiences of Women Who Refuse Recall for Further Investigation of Abnormal Screening Mammography: A Qualitative Study

Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all cancers for women in Taiwan. The current screening policy in Taiwan provides biennial mammogram tests for all women aged 45 to 69 years. A recommendation for further investigation is sent via post to women with a BI-RADS result of 0. The proportion of women who followed-up with a recall request for further investigation after an abnormal mammogram has been below 92.5% in recent years. Therefore, we aimed to explore the experiences of these women who refused recall for further investigation despite an abnormal mammogram. Purposive sampling was conducted on 13 women who refused recall for further examination of abnormal screening mammograms. Data collection included inductive, in-depth interviews or telephone interviews. A content analysis was applied. Three themes were identified: (1) negative screening experiences, (2) struggling with ’to go or not to go’, and (3) rationalizing without a follow-up examination. The first theme included three subthemes: (1) pain of examination, (2) the inconvenience of medical treatment; waiting, and (3) dissatisfaction with having to pay for further examination. The second major theme included three subthemes: (1) perceiving one’s susceptibility to breast cancer as very low, (2) questioning the accuracy of the results, and (3) procrastinating with a “head-in-the-sand” mentality. The third major theme included two subthemes: (1) fatalism and (2) paying attention to self-cultivation. In conclusion, the findings provide important information to healthcare providers involved in case management related to the actual living experiences of women with abnormal screening mammogram results and the additional education required to raise breast cancer awareness in the general public to achieve overall caring goals.

Long-term quality of life among breast cancer survivors eligible for screening at diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the long-term quality of life (QoL) among breast cancer survivors eligible for mammographic screening at diagnosis and compare that to QoL among women with no history of breast cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials and observational studies published between January 2000 and July 2019 was performed. Eight studies were included in the review. Six studies with QoL measurement scales (0-100) were included in the meta-analysis. We used fixed and random effects models to obtain Cohen's d with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated by the I² statistics.

RESULTS

Information about 6145 breast cancer survivors diagnosed between 1995 and 2012 and followed for >1-10 years was analysed. Four studies used SF-36/RAND-36, three studies used EORTC QLQ-C30, one study used FACT-G and one study used FACT-B. The mean score of QoL for breast cancer survivors varied from 63.0 (RAND SF-36, 0-100) to 110.5 (FACT-B, 0-123). Two studies showed better, three studies showed similar and two studies showed poorer mean scores for breast cancer survivors compared with women with no history of breast cancer. The meta-analysis showed no significant differences in QoL for breast cancer survivors compared with women with no history of breast cancer (Cohen's d = -0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.14 to 0.00 and I² = 83.7% for the fixed effect model; Cohen's d = -0.00, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.17 and I² = 82.4% for the random effects model).

CONCLUSION

QoL did not differ between breast cancer survivors eligible for mammographic screening at diagnosis and followed for >1-10 years and women with no history of breast cancer.

Psychological consequences of MRI-based screening among women with strong family histories of breast cancer

PURPOSE

MRI-based screening in women with a ≥ 25% lifetime risk of breast cancer , but no identifiable genetic mutations may be associated with false positives. This study examined the psychological impact of abnormal screens and biopsies in non-mutation carriers participating in high-risk screening with no personal history of breast cancer.

METHODS

Non-mutation carriers participating in the High-Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program at two sites were mailed demographic surveys, psychological scales, and chart review consent. Scales included the Consequences of Screening in Breast Cancer questionnaire, Lerman Breast Cancer Worry Scale, and Worry Interference Scale. Missing data were managed with multiple imputation. Multivariable regression was used to assess whether abnormal screens or biopsies were associated with adverse psychological effects.

RESULTS

After contacting 465 participants, 169 non-mutation carriers were included. Median age was 46 years (range 30-65). Over a median 3 years of screening, 63.9% of women experienced at least one abnormal screen, and 24.9% underwent biopsies. Statements relating to cancer worry/anxiety scored highest, with 19.5% indicating they worried "a lot". Higher scores among anxiety-related statements were strongly associated with higher dejection scores. Overall, coping and daily functioning were preserved. Women indicated some positive reactions to screening, including improved existential values and reassurance they do not have breast cancer. Abnormal screens and biopsies were not significantly associated with any psychological scale, even after adjustment for patient characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Non-mutation carriers undergoing MRI-based screening had considerable baseline anxiety and cancer worry, although daily functioning was not impaired. Abnormal screens and biopsies did not appear to have adverse psychological effects.

Ongoing challenges in implementation of lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Europe and around the world. Although available therapies have undergone considerable development in the past decades, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer remains low. This sobering outlook results mainly from the advanced stages of cancer most patients are diagnosed with. As the population at risk is relatively well defined and early stage disease is potentially curable, lung cancer outcomes may be improved by screening. Several studies already show that lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces lung cancer mortality. However, for a successful implementation of LCS programmes, several challenges have to be overcome: selection of high-risk individuals, standardization of nodule classification and measurement, specific training of radiologists, optimization of screening intervals and screening duration, handling of ancillary findings are some of the major points which should be addressed. Last but not least, the psychological impact of screening on screened individuals and the impact of potential false positive findings should not be neglected. The aim of this review is to discuss the different challenges of implementing LCS programmes and to give some hints on how to overcome them. Finally, we will also discuss the psychological impact of screening on quality of life and the importance of smoking cessation.

Digital breast tomosynthesis compared to diagnostic mammographic projections (including magnification) among women recalled at screening mammography: a systematic review for the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC)

Background

Diagnostic mammography projections (DxMM) have been traditionally used in the assessment of women recalled after a suspicious screening mammogram. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) reduces the tissue overlap effect, thus improving image assessment. Some studies have suggested DBT might replace DxMM with at least equivalent performance.

Objective

To evaluate the replacement of DxMM with DBT in women recalled at screening.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases to identify diagnostic paired cohort studies or RCTs comparing DBT vs DxMM, published in English that: reported accuracy outcomes, recruited women recalled for assessment at mammography screening, and included a reference standard. Subgroup analysis was performed over lesion characteristics. We provided pooled accuracy estimates and differences between tests using a quadrivariate model. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

Results

We included ten studies that reported specificity and sensitivity. One study included 7060 women while the remaining included between 52 and 738 women. DBT compared with DxMM showed a pooled difference for the sensitivity of 2% (95% CI 1%–3%) and a pooled difference for the specificity of 6% (95%CI 2%–11%). Restricting the analysis to the six studies that included women with microcalcification lesions gave similar results. In the context of a prevalence of 21% of breast cancer (BC) in recalled women, DBT probably detects 4 (95% CI 2–6) more BC cases and has 47 (95%CI 16–87) fewer false‐positive results per 1000 assessments. The certainty of the evidence was moderate due to risk of bias.

Conclusion

The evidence in the assessment of screen‐recalled findings with DBT is sparse and of moderate certainty. DBT probably has higher sensitivity and specificity than DxMM. Women, health care providers and policymakers might value as relevant the reduction of false‐positive results and related fewer invasive diagnostic procedures with DBT, without missing BC cases.

Benefits and harms of breast cancer mammography screening for women at average risk of breast cancer: A systematic review for the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Mammography screening is generally accepted in women aged 50-69, but the balance between benefits and harms remains controversial in other age groups. This study systematically reviews these effects to inform the European Breast Cancer Guidelines.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews of observational studies in the absence of RCTs comparing invitation to mammography screening to no invitation in women at average breast cancer (BC) risk. We extracted data for mortality, BC stage, mastectomy rate, chemotherapy provision, overdiagnosis and false-positive-related adverse effects. We performed a pooled analysis of relative risks, applying an inverse-variance random-effects model for three age groups (<50, 50-69 and 70-74). GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used to assess the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

We identified 10 RCTs including 616,641 women aged 38-75. Mammography reduced BC mortality in women aged 50-69 (relative risk (RR) 0.77, 95%CI (confidence interval) 0.66-0.90, high certainty) and 70-74 (RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.54-1.09, high certainty), with smaller reductions in under 50s (RR 0.88, 95%CI 0.76-1.02, moderate certainty). Mammography reduced stage IIA+ in women 50-69 (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.64-1.00, very low certainty) but resulted in an overdiagnosis probability of 23% (95%CI 18-27%) and 17% (95%CI 15-20%) in under 50s and 50-69, respectively (moderate certainty). Mammography was associated with 2.9% increased risk of invasive procedures with benign outcomes (low certainty).

CONCLUSIONS

For women 50-69, high certainty evidence that mammography screening reduces BC mortality risk would support policymakers formulating strong recommendations. In other age groups, where the net balance of effects is less clear, conditional recommendations will be more likely, together with shared decision-making.

Psychosocial consequences of invitation to colorectal cancer screening: a matched cohort study

Background

Psychosocial consequences of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can arise anywhere in the screening cascade. Previous studies have investigated the consequences of participating in CRC screening; however, we have not identified any studies investigating the psychosocial consequences of receiving the invitation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate psychosocial consequences of invitation to CRC screening.

Methods

The study was a longitudinal study performed in Region Zealand, Denmark. Participants included in this study were a random sample of 1000 CRC screening invitees and 1000 control persons, not invited to screening, matched in a 1:1 design on sex, age and municipality. We assessed psychosocial consequences before and after invitation in both study groups concurrently. The primary outcomes were psychosocial consequences measured with the condition-specific questionnaire Consequences of Screening in ColoRectal Cancer.

Results

Preinvitation response rates were 575 (57.5%) and 610 (61.0%) for the invitation group and control group, respectively. Postinvitation response rates were 442 (44.2%) for the invitation group and 561 (56.1%) for the control group.

No differences in mean change in scale score were seen except for the scale ‘Change in body perception’. The invitation group had a 0.39 lower change (99% CI (−0.78 to −0.004), p=0.009) in mean score than the control group in the direction of a less negative body perception after invitation.

Conclusions

This study did not identify an association between invitation to CRC screening and negative psychosocial consequences.

The "Sweet Spot" Revisited: Optimal Recall Rates for Cancer Detection With 2D and 3D Digital Screening Mammography in the Metro Chicago Breast Cancer Registry

OBJECTIVE. One central question pertaining to mammography quality relates to discerning the optimal recall rate to maximize cancer detection while minimizing unnecessary downstream diagnostic imaging and breast biopsies. We examined the trade-offs for higher recall rates in terms of biopsy recommendations and cancer detection in a single large health care organization. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We included 2D analog, 2D digital, and 3D digital (tomosynthesis) screening mammography examinations among women 40-79 years old performed between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2017, with cancer follow-up through 2018. There were 36, 67, and 38 radiologists who read at least 1000 2D analog examinations, 2D digital examinations, and 3D tomosynthesis examinations, respectively, who were included in these analyses. Using logistic regression with marginal standardization, we estimated radiologist-specific mean recall (abnormal interpretations/1000 mammograms), biopsy recommendation, cancer detection (screening-detected in situ and invasive cancers/1000 mammograms), and minimally invasive cancer detection rates while adjusting for differences in patient characteristics. RESULTS. Among 1,060,655 screening mammograms, the mean recall rate was 10.7%, the cancer detection rate was 4.0/1000 mammograms, and the biopsy recommendation rate was 1.60%. Recall rates between 7% and 9% appeared to maximize cancer detection while minimizing unnecessary biopsies. CONCLUSION. The results of this investigation are in contrast to those of a recent study suggesting appropriateness of higher recall rates. The "sweet spot" for optimal cancer detection appears to be in the recall rate range of 7-9% for both 2D digital mammography and 3D tomosynthesis. Too many women are being called back for diagnostic imaging, and new benchmarks could be set to reduce this burden.

Long-term positive psychological outcomes in an Australian pancreatic cancer screening program

Screening for pancreatic cancer (PC) in high-risk groups aimed to detect early cancers is currently done only in the research setting, and data on psychological outcomes of screening in these populations is scarce. To determine the psychological impact of a national Australian pancreatic screening program, a prospective study was conducted using validated psychological measures: impact of events scale (IES), psychological consequences questionnaire (PCQ) and the cancer worry scale. Measures were administered at baseline, 1-month and at 1-year post-enrolment and correlations with abnormal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) results were calculated. Over a 6-year period, 102 participants were recruited to the screening program. Thirty-nine patients (38.2%) had an abnormal endoscopic ultrasound, and two patients (2.0%) were diagnosed with PC and two with other malignancies. Those with a personal history of cancer or a positive BRCA2 mutation demonstrated significantly increased worry about developing other types of cancer at baseline (p < 0.01). Irrespective of EUS result, there was a significant decrease of total IES score at 1 year (Z = - 2.0, p = 0.041). In patients with abnormal EUS results, there was a decrease in the total IES score at 1 year (Z = - 2.5, p = 0.011). In participants deemed to be most distressed at baseline based on their negative PCQ score, there was a significant decrease of the total PCQ (Z = - 3.2, p = 0.001), emotional (Z = - 3.0, p = 0.001), social (Z = 3.0, p = 0.001) and physical (Z = - 2.8, p = 0.002) subscale at 1-year post-intervention. This study provides evidence of the long-term psychological benefits of PC screening in high-risk patients. There was no negative impact of screening in the short-term and the positive benefits appeared at 1-year post-intervention irrespective of screening result.

Consequences of screening in colorectal cancer (COS-CRC): development and dimensionality of a questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Harms of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening include psychosocial consequences. We have not identified studies using a participant-relevant questionnaire with adequate measurement properties to investigate these harms. However, Brodersen et al. have previously developed a core questionnaire consequences of screening (COS) for use in screening for life-threatening diseases. Therefore, the objectives were: (1) To investigate content validity of COS in a CRC screening setting and in case of gaps in content coverage (2) generate new items and themes and (3) test the possibly extended version of COS for dimensionality and differential item functioning (DIF) using Rasch Models.

METHODS

We performed two-part-focus-groups with CRC screenees. Screenees were recruited by strategic sampling. In the first part 16 screenees with false-positive results (n = 7) and low-risk polyps (n = 9) were interviewed about their CRC screening experiences and in the second part COS was examined for content validity. When new information was developed in the focus groups, new items covering this topic were generated. Subsequently, new items were, together with COS, tested in the subsequent interviews. A random subsample (n = 410) from a longitudinal questionnaire study, not yet published, was used to form the data for this paper. We analysed multidimensionality and uniform DIF with Andersen's conditional likelihood ratio test. We assessed individual item fit to the model. We also analysed Local Dependence (LD) and DIF by partial gamma coefficients using Rasch Models.

RESULTS

COS was found relevant in a CRC screening setting. However, new information was discovered in the focus groups, covered by 18 new CRC screening-specific items. The Rasch analyses only revealed minor problems in the COS-scales. The 18 new items were distributed on four new CRC screening-specific dimensions and one single item.

CONCLUSION

An extended version of COS specifically for use in a CRC screening setting has been developed. The extended part encompasses four new scales and one new single item. The original COS with the CRC-screening specific extension is called consequences of screening in colorectal cancer (COS-CRC). COS-CRC possessed reliability, unidimensionality and invariant measurement.

Screening and Selection: The Case of Mammograms

We analyze selection into screening in the context of recommendations that breast cancer screening start at age 40. Combining medical claims with a clinical oncology model, we document that compliers with the recommendation are less likely to have cancer than younger women who select into screening or women who never screen. We show this selection is quantitatively important: shifting the recommendation from age 40 to 45 results in three times as many deaths if compliers were randomly selected than under the estimated patterns of selection. The results highlight the importance of considering characteristics of compliers when making and designing recommendations.

Organization Communication Factors and Abnormal Mammogram Follow-up: a Qualitative Study Among Ethnically Diverse Women Across Three Healthcare Systems

BACKGROUND

Regular mammogram screening for eligible average risk women has been associated with early detection and reduction of cancer morbidity and mortality. Delayed follow-up and resolution of abnormal mammograms limit early detection efforts and can cause psychological distress and anxiety.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to gain insight from women's narratives into how organizational factors related to communication and coordination of care facilitate or hinder timely follow-up for abnormal mammogram results.

DESIGN

We conducted 61 qualitative in-person interviews with women from four race-ethnic groups (African American, Chinese, Latina, and White) in three different healthcare settings (academic, community, and safety-net).

PARTICIPANTS

Eligible participants had an abnormal mammogram result requiring breast biopsy documented in the San Francisco Mammography Registry in the previous year.

APPROACH

Interview narratives included reflections on experience and suggested improvements to communication and follow-up processes. A grounded theory approach was used to identify themes across interviews.

KEY RESULTS

Participants' experiences of follow-up and diagnosis depended largely on communication processes. Twenty-one participants experienced a follow-up delay (> 30 days between index mammogram and biopsy). Organizational factors, which varied across different institutions, played key roles in effective communication which included (a) direct verbal communication with the ability to ask questions, (b) explanation of medical processes and terminology avoiding jargon, and (c) use of interpretation services for women with limited English proficiency.

CONCLUSION

Health organizations varied in their processes for abnormal results communication and availability of support staff and interpretation services. Women who received care from institutions with more robust support staff, such as bilingual navigators, more often than not reported understanding their results and timely abnormal mammogram follow-up. These reports were consistent across women from diverse ethnic groups and suggest the value of organizational support services between an abnormal mammogram and resolution for improving follow-up times and minimizing patient distress.

Depression Before and After a Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer: Results From a National, Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate depression in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients before and after a cancer diagnosis using a US-based healthcare database. We also sought to study the impact of treatment of depression in PC patients on all-cause mortality.

METHODS

Pancreatic cancer patients with comorbid depression in Explorys (1999-2019) were compared with controls using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Rates of depression diagnosed within 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years before and after a PC diagnosis were recorded. Patients who developed depression after a PC diagnosis were further categorized into those treated for depression using mental health professionals (MHPs), pharmacologic treatment, or both (2015-2019).

RESULTS

Of the 62,450 PC patients, 10,220 (16.4%) were diagnosed with depression before PC and 8130 (13%) were diagnosed with depression after PC. Patients diagnosed with depression after PC had a significantly higher all-cause mortality than patients with PC alone (P < 0.0001). Involvement of MHP significantly improved all-cause mortality (P = 0.0041).

CONCLUSIONS

Most post-PC depression is diagnosed in the first 6 months after a PC diagnosis. Although depression significantly increases PC mortality, integrating MHP in the care of PC patients with depression improves outcomes.

Breast effects of oral, combined 17β-estradiol, and progesterone capsules in menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of a single-capsule, bioidentical 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) hormone therapy on mammograms and breasts in postmenopausal women after 1 year of use.

Methods:

In the 12-month, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter REPLENISH trial, postmenopausal women (40-65 y) with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms and a uterus were randomized to four active daily dose groups of E2/P4 (TX-001HR) or a placebo group. Mammograms were performed and read locally at screening (or ≤6 months before first dose) and at study end using BI-RADS classification. Incidence of abnormal mammograms and breast adverse events was evaluated.

Results:

All but 8 (0.4%) mammograms at screening were normal (BI-RADS 1 or 2). At 1 year, 39 (2.9%) of the 1,340 study-end mammograms were abnormal (BI-RADS 3 or 4); incidence was 1.7% to3.7% with active doses and 3.1% with placebo. Breast cancer incidence was 0.36% with active doses and 0% with placebo. Breast tenderness was reported at frequencies of 2.4% to 10.8% with active doses versus 0.7% with placebo, and led to eight study discontinuations (1.6% of discontinuations in active groups).

Conclusions:

In this phase 3 trial of a combined E2/P4, results of secondary outcomes suggest that E2/P4 may not be associated with increased risk of abnormal mammograms versus placebo, and the incidence of breast tenderness was low relative to most of the rates reported in other studies using hormone therapy.

Expectations of Surveillance for Non-BRCA Gene Mutation Carriers at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Preventative Care Program for Women's Cancer provides genetic testing, risk evaluation, and screening for breast cancer. Women diagnosed with high-risk mutations may opt to undergo active surveillance or prophylactic surgery. This decision requires understanding of the surveillance process and its potential outcomes. In this study, we report specifically on women with non-BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted of women enrolled in our program identified as high risk because of non-BRCA mutations. Events regarding genetic mutations, method of detection of suspicious lesions, number of biopsies, results of those biopsies, prophylactic surgery, and cancer diagnosis were collected.

RESULTS

We identified 78 patients with asymptomatic non-BRCA deleterious mutations. Sixteen mutations were identified, with the most common being ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2. In total, 11.5% underwent prophylactic surgery and 88.5% underwent active surveillance. In the surveillance group, 63.8% had no examination or imaging to warrant biopsy, 24.6% had biopsy with benign result, and 11.6% had biopsy with malignant result. For the nine women who developed breast cancer during surveillance, six were diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, two with stage I, and one with stage IIA cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with non-BRCA mutations enroll in prevention clinics with hopes of early detection of breast cancer. Because of increased screening, this population undergoes biopsy more frequently; however, during surveillance most do not require a biopsy. For those that do, the result is typically benign. This information can further allow women to make informed decisions about surveillance and establish realistic expectations regarding the likelihood of tissue sampling.

Psychiatric Disorders Are Associated with Increased Risk of Sepsis Following a Cancer Diagnosis

Psychiatric disorders and infections are both common comorbidities among patients with cancer. However, little is known about the role of precancer psychiatric disorders on the subsequent risk of sepsis as a complication of infections among patients with cancer. We conducted a cohort study of 362,500 patients with newly diagnosed cancer during 2006-2014 in Sweden. We used flexible parametric models to calculate the HRs of sepsis after cancer diagnosis in relation to precancer psychiatric disorders and the analyses were performed in two models. In model 1, analyses were adjusted for sex, age at cancer diagnosis, calendar period, region of residence, and type of cancer. In model 2, further adjustments were made for marital status, educational level, cancer stage, infection history, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score. During a median follow-up of 2.6 years, we identified 872 cases of sepsis among patients with cancer with precancer psychiatric disorders (incidence rate, IR, 14.8 per 1,000 person-years) and 12,133 cases among patients with cancer without such disorders (IR, 11.6 per 1000 person-years), leading to a statistically significant association between precancer psychiatric disorders and sepsis in both the simplified (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.22-1.40) and full (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.18-1.35) models. The positive association was consistently noted among patients with different demographic factors or cancer characteristics, for most cancer types, and during the entire follow-up after cancer diagnosis. Collectively, preexisting psychiatric disorders were associated with an increased risk of sepsis after cancer diagnosis, suggesting a need of heightened clinical awareness in this patient group. SIGNIFICANCE: These results call for extended prevention and surveillance of sepsis among patients with cancer with psychiatric comorbidities.

Breast cancer risk, worry, and anxiety: Effect on patient perceptions of false-positive screening results

Objective

The impact of mammography screening recall on quality-of-life (QOL) has been studied in women at average risk for breast cancer, but it is unknown whether these effects differ by breast cancer risk level. We used a vignette-based survey to evaluate how women across the spectrum of breast cancer risk perceive the experience of screening recall.

Methods

Women participating in mammography or breast MRI screening were recruited to complete a vignette-based survey. Using a numerical rating scale (0–100), women rated QOL for hypothetical scenarios of screening recall, both before and after benign results were known. Lifetime breast cancer risk was calculated using Gail and BRCAPRO risk models. Risk perception, trait anxiety, and breast cancer worry were assessed using validated instruments.

Results

The final study cohort included 162 women at low (n = 43, 26%), intermediate (n = 66, 41%), and high-risk (n = 53, 33%). Actual breast cancer risk was not a predictor of QOL for any of the presented scenarios. Across all risk levels, QOL ratings were significantly lower for the period during diagnostic uncertainty compared to after benign results were known (p < 0.05). In multivariable regression analyses, breast cancer worry was a significant predictor of decreased QoL for all screening scenarios while awaiting results, including scenarios with non-invasive imaging alone or with biopsy. High trait anxiety and family history predicted lower QOL scores after receipt of benign test results (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Women with high trait anxiety and family history may particularly benefit from discussions about the risk of recall when choosing a screening regimen.

•

Impact of screening recall on quality-of-life does not vary by breast cancer risk.

•

Breast cancer worry predicts lower quality-of-life ratings while awaiting results.

•

Quality-of-life ratings improve after receipt of benign results.

•

High trait anxiety predicts lower quality-of-life after benign results are known.

Risk estimation, anxiety, and breast cancer worry in women at risk for breast cancer: A single-arm trial of personalized risk communication

OBJECTIVE

Elevated anxiety and breast cancer worry can impede mammographic screening and early breast cancer detection. Genetic advances and risk models make personalized breast cancer risk assessment and communication feasible, but it is unknown whether such communication of risk affects anxiety and disease-specific worry. We studied the effect of a personalized breast cancer screening intervention on risk perception, anxiety, and breast cancer worry.

METHODS

Women with a normal mammogram but elevated risk for breast cancer (N = 122) enrolled in the Athena Breast Health risk communication program were surveyed before and after receiving a letter conveying their breast cancer risk and a breast health genetic counselor consultation. We compared breast cancer risk estimation, anxiety, and breast cancer worry before and after risk communication and evaluated the relationship of anxiety and breast cancer worry to risk estimation accuracy.

RESULTS

Women substantially overestimated their lifetime breast cancer risk, and risk communication somewhat mitigated this overestimation (49% pre-intervention, 42% post-intervention, 13% Gail model risk estimate, P < .001). Both general anxiety and breast cancer worry declined significantly after risk communication in women with high baseline anxiety. Baseline anxiety and breast cancer worry were essentially unrelated to risk estimation accuracy, but risk communication increased alignment of worry with accuracy of risk assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Personalized communication about breast cancer risk was associated with modestly improved risk estimation accuracy in women with relatively low anxiety and less anxiety and breast cancer worry in women with higher anxiety. We detected no negative consequences of informing women about elevated breast cancer risk.

Harms of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance

Purpose of review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients with cirrhosis is associated with decreased mortality by enabling early tumor detection. However, the benefits of any cancer screening program must be considered in light of potential physical, financial, and psychological harms, as well as the risk of overdiagnosis. Herein, we summarize the potential harms of HCC surveillance.

Recent findings

To date, two retrospective studies have addressed physical harms of HCC surveillance. Based on these data, 15% to 28% of patients undergoing HCC surveillance experience physical harm including additional cross-sectional imaging or liver biopsy. Although psychological and financial harms have been reported for other cancers, there are currently limited data specific to HCC. An ongoing multi-center prospective study assessing all four types of harms should provide data in near future.

Summary

HCC screening may prevent death by diagnosing tumors at an early stage, but limited sensitivity and specificity of screening tests can result in unintended harms. There is a need for further quality data evaluating both the benefits and harms of HCC surveillance.

Communicating benign biopsy results by telephone in the NHS Breast Screening Programme: a protocol for a cluster randomised crossover trial

INTRODUCTION

One of the main harms from breast cancer screening is the anxiety caused by false positive results. Various factors may be associated with false-positive anxiety. One modifiable factor may be the method of communication used to deliver results. The aim of this study is to measure the effect on anxiety of receiving benign biopsy results in-person or by telephone.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a multi-centre cluster randomised crossover trial in the English National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) involving repeated survey measures at four time points. Participants will be women of screening age who have a biopsy following a suspicious mammography result, who ultimately receive a benign or normal (B1) result. Centres will trial both telephone and in-person results on a month-by-month basis, being randomised to which communication method will be trialled first. Women will be blinded to the method of communication they will receive. The analysis will compare women who have received telephone results and women who have received in-person results. The primary outcome measure will be anxiety (measured by the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire) after receiving results, while controlling for baseline anxiety. Secondary outcome measures will include anxiety at 3 and 6 months post-results, understanding of results and patient preferences for how results are communicated. Qualitative telephone interviews will also be conducted to further explore women's reasons for communication preferences. Qualitative and quantitative data will be integrated after initial separate analysis using the pillar integration process.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the Public Health England Breast Screening Programme Research Advisory Committee, (BSPRAC_0013, ODR1718_040) and the National Health Service Health Research Authority (HRA) West Midlands-Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee (17/WM/0313). The findings from this study will be disseminated to key stakeholders within the NHSBSP and via academic publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN36997684 TRIAL SPONSOR: This research is part of a PhD award and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Warwick and Public Health England. The sponsor for this research is Jane Prewett (sponsorship@warwick.ac.uk).

How do women experience a false-positive test result from breast screening? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

This is the first review to identify, appraise and synthesise women's experiences of having a false-positive breast screening test result.

METHODS

We systematically searched eight databases for qualitative research reporting women's experiences of receiving a false-positive screening test result. Two reviewers independently screened articles. Eight papers reporting seven studies were included. Study quality was appraised. Data were thematically synthesised.

RESULTS

Women passively attended screening in order to prove their perceived good health. Consequently, being recalled was unexpected, shocking and disempowering: women felt without options. They endured great uncertainty and stress and sought clarity about their health (e.g. by scrutinising the wording of recall letters and conversations with healthcare professionals). Their result was accompanied by relief and welcome feelings of certainty about their health, but some received unclear explanations of their result, contributing to lasting breast cancer-related worry and an ongoing need for further reassurance.

CONCLUSION

The organisation of breast screening programmes may constrain choice for women: they became passive recipients. The way healthcare professionals verbally communicate results to women may contribute to lasting breast cancer-related worry. Women need more reassurance, emotional support and answers to their questions before and during screening assessment, and after receiving their result.

Alcohol use and breast cancer risk: A qualitative study of women's perspectives to inform the development of a preventative intervention in breast clinics

Objective

This study aimed to explore women's views about breast cancer risk and alcohol use, to inform the design of a prototype for an intervention in breast clinics about alcohol as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer.

Methods

Women recruited in NHS breast screening and symptomatic clinics in Southampton, UK, were invited to take part in semi‐structured telephone interviews or a focus group to discuss their perspectives of breast cancer risk, alcohol consumption and their information needs about these topics. Data were analysed thematically. Twenty‐eight women took part in telephone interviews, and 16 attended one of three focus groups.

Results

While most women reported a personal responsibility for their health and were interested in advice about modifiable risk factors, few without (or prior to) experience of breast symptoms independently sought information. Many considered alcohol advice irrelevant as the association with breast cancer was largely unknown, and participants did not consider their drinking to be problematic. Women reported trusting information from health organisations like the NHS, but advice needs to be sensitive and non‐blaming.

Conclusion

NHS breast screening and symptomatic clinics offer a “teachable moment” to engage women with context‐specific advice about alcohol and cancer risk that, if targeted correctly, may assist them in making informed lifestyle choices.

Screening Mammography Among Older Women: A Review of United States Guidelines and Potential Harms

In the United States, older women (aged ≥65 years) continue to receive routine screening mammography surveillance, despite limited evidence supporting the benefits to this subpopulation. This article reviews screening mammography guidelines and the potential harms of such screening for older women in the United States. Published guidelines and recommendations on screening mammography for older women from professional medical societies and organizations in the United States were reviewed from the mid-20th century to present. Observational data were then synthesized to present the documented harms from screening mammography among older women. In 1976, the American Cancer Society recommended to screen all women aged ≥40 years with no upper age limit. With time, other major U.S. medical societies adopted their own screening guidelines without a consensus on age of screening cessation. A population-wide screening effort has largely continued without an upper age limit and with it, a growing body of literature on the harms of screening older women. Reported harms from screening mammography procedures have included physical pain, psychological distress, excessive use of health services from overdiagnoses/false positives, and undue financial expenses. These costs are particularly pronounced among special populations with limited life expectancies such as those of very advanced age ≥80 years, long-term nursing home residents, and the cognitively impaired. When potential harms, remaining life years, and the viability of available treatments are considered, the burdens of screening mammography often outweigh the benefits for older women. For some cases, an individualized approach to recommendations would be appropriate. National guidelines should be updated to provide clear guidance for screening women of advanced age, especially those in special populations with limited life expectancies.

False-positive screening events and worry influence decisions about surgery among high-risk women

OBJECTIVE

Studies of cancer screening have found that false positive screening events (FPSE) can affect worry about cancer risk and screening program use, we sought to further explore this.

METHOD

In a study of 1,100 women at high risk for ovarian cancer who participated in a previously published randomized controlled trial (RCT), we sought to explore whether worry might also influence the use of risk-reducing surgical procedures by women. Participants included 234 women with BRCA1/2 mutations and 866 women with high-risk pedigrees. We followed the women for up to 6 years.

RESULTS

Worry predicted risk reducing prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (pBSO) for both mutation carriers (HR = 1.74; p = .02), and women with high-risk pedigree (HR = 3.41; p < .001). FPSE also predicted subsequent pBSO among women with a high-risk pedigree (HR 2.31; p < .01). While screening may reduce worry among those who never receive a positive result, FPSE increase worry at least temporarily. Worry about ovarian cancer risk predicted use of preventative pBSO among high-risk women including those with BRCA1/2 mutations enrolled in an ovarian cancer-screening program. FPSE also predicted risk-reducing ovarian surgery among high-risk women without a known mutation at the time of screening program enrollment.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians who offer screening should know that false positive results may increase use of pBSO, how this should effect clinical practice is unclear. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Long-term risk of screen-detected and interval breast cancer after false-positive results at mammography screening: joint analysis of three national cohorts

BACKGROUND

We assessed the long-term risk of screen-detected and interval breast cancer in women with a first or second false-positive screening result.

METHODS

Joint analysis had been performed using individual-level data from three population-based screening programs in Europe (Copenhagen in Denmark, Norway, and Spain). Overall, 75,513 screened women aged 50-69 years from Denmark (1991-2010), 556,640 from Norway (1996-2008), and 517,314 from Spain (1994-2010) were included. We used partly conditional Cox hazards models to assess the association between false-positive results and the risk of subsequent screen-detected and interval cancer.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 1,149,467 women underwent 3,510,450 screening exams, and 10,623 screen-detected and 5700 interval cancers were diagnosed. Compared to women with negative tests, those with false-positive results had a two-fold risk of screen-detected (HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.93-2.16) and interval cancer (HR = 2.18, 95% CI: 2.02-2.34). Women with a second false-positive result had over a four-fold risk of screen-detected and interval cancer (HR = 4.71, 95% CI: 3.81-5.83 and HR = 4.22, 95% CI: 3.27-5.46, respectively). Women remained at an elevated risk for 12 years after the false-positive result.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with prior false-positive results had an increased risk of screen-detected and interval cancer for over a decade. This information should be considered to design personalised screening strategies based on individual risk.

The Effect of Psychoeducation on Anxiety in Women Undergoing Their Initial Breast Cancer Screening Mammography

We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study to determine whether a psychoeducational intervention for patients undergoing screening mammography could influence the level of anxiety related to the procedure. Fifty women undergoing mammography for the first time were included in the study and randomized to two groups. In the study group, patients received a psychoeducational session before mammography. In the control group, psychoeducation was not applied. To evaluate the level of anxiety, we used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. State Anxiety Scale (S-Anxiety) score and Trait Anxiety Scale (T-Anxiety) scores were assessed before and after mammography in both groups. After evaluating the S-Anxiety score in the study group before mammography and after the procedure, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.043) was observed. In contrast, no statistically significant changes were noticed in the control group (p = 0.886). Our study showed that psychoeducation reduced state anxiety among the participants of a breast cancer screening.

Psychosocial consequences among women with false-positive results after mammography screening in Norway

BACKGROUND

Mammography screening may cause psychosocial harm for women experiencing a false-positive screening result. Previous studies suggest long-term consequences. The aim of the present study was to assess psychosocial consequences of false-positive findings on screening mammography within a six month follow-up.

METHODS

A prospective matched cohort survey study using the questionnaire 'Consequences of Screening for Breast Cancer' (COS-BC), which was translated from Danish to Norwegian. Psychometric analyses investigated the measurement properties of the Norwegian version. Two screening clinics in Norway distributed the survey to 299 women with an abnormal mammogram and 541 women with a normal screen. Women received the questionnaire when receiving the screening result, and one and six months after screening.

RESULTS

At six months, statistically significant differences appeared in two scales: existential values and breast examination. At six-month follow-up, women with false-positive results showed no statistically significant differences from women diagnosed with breast cancer in three outcomes: sense of dejection, anxiety, and keeping my mind off things.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the psychosocial consequences from having false-positive screening mammography results diminish after six months. The results support previous research describing breast-specific outcomes. However, our results indicate that Norwegian women are less frightened than other Scandinavian mammography screening participants.

Defining the Need for Imaging and Biopsy After Mastectomy

BACKGROUND

The proportion of patients eligible for breast-conservation therapy (BCT) yet opting for mastectomy is increasing. This decision is often driven by the desire to eliminate future screening and/or biopsy of the remaining breast or breasts. This study investigated the incidence of post-mastectomy imaging and biopsy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all unilateral mastectomy (UM) and bilateral mastectomy (BM) cases managed at a single institution was undertaken. Post-mastectomy imaging and biopsy rates were determined.

RESULTS

Between 2009 and 2015, 185 UM and 200 BM cases managed for breast cancer were identified. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range 3-75 months). For the patients with UM, imaging studies and biopsies done on the contralateral side were excluded given the standard of care for continued surveillance of the contralateral breast. Of the 185 UM patients, 19 (10%) underwent ipsilateral imaging (all ultrasounds) for physical examination findings, 11 (6%) underwent biopsy, and 2 (1%) had malignant findings. Of the 200 BM patients, 31 (15.5%) required imaging (29 ultrasounds and 2 MRIs), with 76% of the ultrasounds performed on the side with previous cancer. Subsequently, 16 (8%) of the BM patients had biopsy, with 11 (69%) of the 16 biopsies performed on the ipsilateral side. Three (1.5%) of the biopsies done on ipsilateral side demonstrated malignancy, whereas all the contralateral biopsies were benign.

CONCLUSIONS

For 10-15.5% of patients who undergo mastectomy, either UM or BM, subsequent imaging is required, whereas 6-8% undergo biopsy. The yield of malignancy is low, approximately 1%. Thus, after mastectomy, the need for imaging and biopsy is not eliminated. This information is critical for patient understanding and expectation related to surgical decision making.

Tamizaje masivo: una revisión de la literatura sociológica

RESUMEN Se provee una revisión de la literatura sociológica a partir de 79 obras referentes a cribados de cáncer y se excluyeron los cribados genéticos prenatal y neonatal. El tamizaje implica el monitoreo de poblaciones aparentemente sanas para rastrear una determinada condición. El rastreo invirtió la concepción tradicional de comprensión sobre las enfermedades al disminuir los umbrales de definición de enfermedad y rompió con la distinción médica tradicional entre enfermos y sanos. A partir de entonces, la práctica clínica comenzó a buscar enfermedades en personas asintomáticas, y así también modificó los comportamientos de los pacientes, que pasaron a ser responsables del cuidado de sí mismos.

Effects of program scale-up on time to resolution for patients with abnormal screening mammography results

PURPOSE

Effects of geographic program expansion to rural areas on screening program outcomes are understudied. We sought to determine whether time-to-resolution (TTR) varied significantly by service delivery time period, location, and participant characteristics across 19 North Texas counties.

METHODS

We calculated proportions undergoing diagnostic follow-up and resolved ≤ 60 days. We calculated median TTR for each time period and abnormal result BI-RADS 0, 4, 5. Cox proportional hazards regressions estimated time period and patient characteristic effects on TTR. Wilcoxon rank sum tests evaluated whether TTR differed between women who did or did not transfer between counties for services.

RESULTS

TTR ranged from 14 to 17 days for BI-RADs 0, 4, and 5; 12.4% transferred to a different county, resulting in longer median TTR (26 vs. 16 days; p < .001). Of those completing follow-up, 92% were resolved ≤ 60 days (median 15 days). For BI-RAD 3, TTR was 208 days (including required 180 day waiting period). Follow-up was significantly lower for women with BI-RAD 3 (59% vs. 96%; p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Expansion maintained timely service delivery, increasing access to screening among rural, uninsured women. Policies adding a separate quality metric for BI-RAD 3 could encourage follow-up monitoring to address lower completion and longer TTR among women with this result.