Abstract
To assess women’s knowledge of personal breast cancer risk. Additionally, we aimed to determine how often physicians are discussing individualized risk assessments of breast cancer with their patients, and if those discussion affected risk perception. Surveys were distributed in radiology centers in New York and made available to patients presenting for routine mammography. As exact number of patients who viewed the survey is unknown, response rate could not be assessed. Data from the survey was used to calculate each patient’s personal breast cancer risk using the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Each patient’s actual breast cancer risk was compared to her perceived risk. 15,006 subjects submitted the survey and 11,365 were included in the final analysis. Fourteen percent of women were accurate in their 5-year estimation as compared to calculated risk, and only 7% of respondents were accurate in their estimation of risk by 90 years of age. There was no association between time since discussion of breast cancer risk and accuracy of estimating personal breast cancer risk (p = 0.17). There was no difference in risk estimation accuracy between women who had ever or had never discussed risk with her physician (p = 0.1064). Patients’ perceived personal risk of developing breast cancer does not match the Gail model calculated risk. These findings hold true whether or not her physician had discussed personal breast cancer risk with her in the past. Further studies should determine effective strategies to educate patients about their breast cancer risk.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wagner EH, Austin BT, Davis C, Hindmarsh M, Schaefer J, Bonomi A (2001) Improving chronic illness care: translating evidence into action. Health Aff 20:64–78
Redmond N, Baer H, Clark C et al (2010) Sources of health information related to preventive health behaviors in a national study. Am J Prev Med 38(6):620–627.e2
Kamali S, Ahmadian L, Khajouei R, Bahaadinbeigy K (2018) Health information needs of pregnant women: information sources, motives and barriers. Health Inf Libr J 35:24–37
Cull A, Anderson E, Campbell S, Mackay J, Smyth E, Steel M (1999) The impact of genetic counseling about breast cancer risk on women’s risk perceptions and levels of distress. Br J Cancer 79(3/4):501–508
Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M et al (2016) SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2014. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2014/. Accessed January 15, 2018
Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A (2018) Cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin 68:7–30
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for breast cancer. 2009. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm. Accessed January 13, 2018
Edwards AG, Naik G, Ahmed H et al (2013) Personalised risk communication for informed decision making about taking screening tests. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2):CD001865
Nekhlyudov L, Braddock C (2009) An approach to enhance communication about screening mammography in primary care. J Women’s Health 18(9):1403–1412
Islami F, Torre LA, Drope JM et al (2017) Global cancer in women: cancer control priorities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 26(4):458–470
Roth MY, Elmore JG, Yi-Frazier JP et al (2011) Self-detection remains a key method of breast cancer detection for U.S. women. J Women's Health (Larchmt) 20(8):1135–1139
Katapodi MC, Dodd MJ, Lee KA, Facione NC (2009) Underestimation of breast cancer risk: influence on screening behavior. Oncol Nurs Forum 36(3):306–314
Guerra CE, Sherman M, Armstrong K (2009) Diffusion of breast cancer risk assessment in primary care. J Am Board Fam Med 22:272–279
Rockhill B, Spiegelman D, Byrne C et al (2001) Validation of the Gail et al. model of breast cancer risk prediction and implications for chemoprevention. J Natl Cancer Inst 93:358–366
Gail MH, Brinton LA, Byar DP et al (1989) Projecting individualized probabilities of developing breast cancer for white females who are being examined annually. J Natl Cancer Inst 81:1879–1886
Costantino JP, Gail MH, Pee D et al (1999) Validation studies for models projecting the risk of invasive and total breast cancer incidence. J Natl Cancer Inst 91:1541–1548
Oeffinger KC, Fontham ET, Etzioni R et al (2015) Breast cancer screening for women at average risk: 2015 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. JAMA 314(15):1599–1614
Siu AL on behalf of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016) Screening for breast cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med 164(4):279–296
Saslow D, Boetes C, Burke W et al (2007) American Cancer Society breast Cancer advisory group. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast screening with MRI as an adjunct to mammography. CA Cancer J Clin 57:75–89
Berg AO. US Preventive Services Task Force (2003) Chemoprevention of breast cancer: recommendations and rationale. Am J Nurs 103:107–113
Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL et al (1998) Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: report of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 Study. J Natl Cancer Inst 90:1371–1388
Berg W, Blume J, Cormack J et al (2008) Combined screening with ultrasound and mammography vs mammography alone in women at elevated risk of breast cancer. JAMA 299:2151–2163
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic Supplementary Material
ESM 1
(PDF 69 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abittan, B., Pachtman, S., Herman, S. et al. Perception of Breast Cancer Risk in Over 11,000 Patients During Routine Mammography Exam. J Canc Educ 35, 782–787 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01530-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01530-5