Australian Women’s Responses to Breast Density Information: A Content Analysis

Tanvi Pandya, Zixuan Liu, Hankiz Dolan, Jolyn Hersch, Meagan Brennan, Nehmat Houssami and Brooke Nickel ()
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Tanvi Pandya: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Zixuan Liu: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Hankiz Dolan: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Jolyn Hersch: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Meagan Brennan: Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
Nehmat Houssami: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Brooke Nickel: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: Breast density (BD) is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and reduces mammographic sensitivity. This study explored women’s responses and intentions if notified that they had dense breasts. Methods: Content analysis was used to assess responses from a written questionnaire undertaken in conjunction with focus groups on BD involving 78 Australian women aged 40–74. Results: Half the women reported that they would feel a little anxious if notified they had dense breasts, while 29.5% would not feel anxious. The most common theme (29.5%) related to anxiety was the psychosocial impact of the possibility of developing cancer, and women believed that being better informed could help with anxiety (26.9%). When asked what they would do if notified of having dense breasts, the most common response was to consult their doctor for information/advice (38.5%), followed by considering supplemental screening (23%). Consequently, when asked directly, 65.4% were interested in undergoing supplemental screening, while others (10.3%) said they “wouldn’t worry about it too much”. Discussion: These findings have important implications for health systems with population-based breast screening programs that are currently considering widespread BD notification in terms of the impact on women, health services and primary care.

Keywords: breast density; mammography; communication; women’s health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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