Study: Unpleasant Experience Deters Women From Having Mammogram

An unpleasant experience while having a mammogram, especially with the technologist, may discourage women from having the screening procedurre in the future and the problem appears to be more common in women who are heavier, according to a report in the journal Cancer.

Dartmouth Medical School researchers studied 625 women, age 50 and older, who underwent mammogram screening to see if there were any differences between those who did and did not return for another screening within the following two years.

The key factor in whether the women returned for another mammogram was their experience at the screening itself. Care taken by technicians in performing the procedure, or talking women through the exam, was higher in women who had follow up mammograms than in women who did not.

For the women who had a negative experience but did return, their biggest complaint was trouble getting an appointment. The most frequent complaint for the women who had a negative experience and did not return was the amount of pain experienced during the procedure.

Another finding of the study was that women with a higher body mass index were less likely to have another mammogram. Researchers speculate that heavier women may be more embarrassed or sensitive about how they are coached or how their bodies are handled.

There was no difference in mammogram use found in the women who had relatives with breast cancer, their age at first menstrual period or first childbirth, or in the number of previous breast biopsies.

However, the women who returned for another mammogram were more likely to be on hormone replacement therapy, indicating they may have been more likely to have a regular source of healthcare. Women who did not return for another mammogram were less likely to have health insurance, although this number was barely significant.

Other sources: Cancer