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Addressing women's breast cancer risk and perceptions of control in medical settings

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Abstract

Many women with family histories of breast cancer deal with two distinct but related issues: their objective physical risk and the emotions this risk engenders. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of African American and white women are concerned about their chances of developing breast cancer someday and perceive themselves to be at risk. Health care providers, including psychologists, need to be aware of the special needs and psychosocial concerns of high-risk women with family histories of breast cancer, since perceptions of breast cancer risk influence screening practices. Providers need training in understanding the significance of specific family patterns of breast cancer, screening guidelines appropriate for women at risk, and the benefits and risks of available prevention options, including genetic screening. Delivering accurate information about both established risk factors known to elevate personal risk, such as age and family history, and factors which women associate with breast cancer, such as bumping and bruising a breast, smoking, and oral contraceptive use, is essential for promoting accurate risk perceptions and appropriate screening schedules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    Renee Royak-Schaler

  2. Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Renee Royak-Schaler

  3. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    Brian Cheuvront

  4. Survey Research Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina

    Kenneth R. Wilson & Claudia M. Williams

Authors
  1. Renee Royak-Schaler
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  2. Brian Cheuvront
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  3. Kenneth R. Wilson
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  4. Claudia M. Williams
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Royak-Schaler, R., Cheuvront, B., Wilson, K.R. et al. Addressing women's breast cancer risk and perceptions of control in medical settings. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 3, 185–199 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01993905

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