Contact: Marc Schwartz, PhD
(202) 687-0185
schwartm@gunet.georgetown.edu

Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer May Avoid Mammograms

A combination of psychological distress and lack of conscientiousness can deter women at high risk of breast cancer from getting a mammogram, according to a new study conducted by scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center.

By pinpointing characteristics shared by many high-risk test-avoiders, the research sheds light on how to overcome hesitation in the population that can least afford it.

"We focused on high-risk women who worry about breast cancer, but who are not conscientious," said Marc Schwartz, PhD, head of the study. "Such women may have difficulty motivating themselves to obtain a mammogram due to their fear of breast cancer."

Two hundred women, each having a close relative with breast cancer and thus at substantially increased risk themselves, participated. The women ranged in age from 40 to 84 years old, with an average age of 57. Most were white, married, employed, and well-educated. Eighty percent had obtained a mammogram within the past year.

The researchers examined the group through questionnaires that measured cancer-related distress and "conscientiousness," the ability to control one's behavior and complete tasks. Conscientious individuals, therefore, are likely to motivate themselves to complete difficult or unpleasant projects. The scientists report the results of their study in the current issue of Health Psychology.

By and of itself, a woman's worry about cancer did not predict whether she would undergo an x-ray to find out if she had the disease. However, within the highly distressed group, conscientiousness played a huge role. Ninety percent of distressed, conscientious women had obtained a mammogram with the past year. Just 63 percent of distressed, low conscientious women had done so.

These results point out the need for new ways of promoting mammography. Simply educating women about risk factors and benefits isn't always enough.

"Problem-solving training, focused on fostering adaptive coping responses and reducing psychological distress, might be an effective intervention," said Schwartz.

Among the less distressed individuals, 84 percent of the conscientious ones had undergone a recent mammogram, as had 82 percent of the less conscientious ones.

This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation.

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Health Psychology is the official, peer-reviewed research journal of the Division of Health Psychology (Division 38), American Psychological Association. For information about the journal, please contact its editor, David Krantz, PhD, at 301-295-3273.