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Psychological impact of breast cancer screening in Japan

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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact of breast cancer screening by use of mammography and/or ultrasound, and to reveal factors related to psychological distress.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty women were recalled to our hospital because of suspicious malignant findings from breast cancer screening between March and November 2012. They were asked to complete three questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression, the Brief Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced scale (Brief COPE) for coping styles, and an original questionnaire for personal information.

Results

Complete data were available for 312 of 320 women (97.5 %). The median age was 45 years (range 23–73). The HADS revealed borderline or clinically significant anxiety for 70 % of the women. Family history of breast cancer, area of residence, number of times screened, number of recalls, and the period before the first visit were significantly related to psychological distress (p < 0.05). Brief COPE scores showed that self-blame, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, use of emotional support, venting, denial, and less acceptance were related to increased anxiety.

Conclusion

Seventy percent of women who were recalled after breast cancer screening experienced psychological distress. Thus, negative psychological impact should be regarded as an adverse effect of breast cancer screening.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank all participants and colleagues who helped with the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical considerations

This study was conducted after obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee of St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Written informed consent was obtained from all eligible participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Atsuko Kitano

  2. Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Hideko Yamauchi & Hiroshi Yagata

  3. Department of Psycho-oncology, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Takashi Hosaka

  4. Department of Nursing, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Keiko Hosokawa

  5. Center of Clinical Epidemiology, St. Luke’s Life Science Institute, Tokyo, Japan

    Sachiko Ohde

  6. Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Atsuko Kitano & Seigo Nakamura

  7. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Showa University of School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Atsuko Kitano & Masafumi Takimoto

  8. Department of Radiology, St. Luke’s International Hospital, 9-1 Akashi-cho Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8560, Japan

    Hiroko Tsunoda

Authors
  1. Atsuko Kitano
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  2. Hideko Yamauchi
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  3. Takashi Hosaka
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  4. Hiroshi Yagata
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  5. Keiko Hosokawa
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  6. Sachiko Ohde
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  7. Seigo Nakamura
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  8. Masafumi Takimoto
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  9. Hiroko Tsunoda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroko Tsunoda.

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Kitano, A., Yamauchi, H., Hosaka, T. et al. Psychological impact of breast cancer screening in Japan. Int J Clin Oncol 20, 1110–1116 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-015-0845-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-015-0845-0

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