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Dense Breasts: Anxiety Surge in Screening Results
4 Dec
Summary
- Telling women about dense breasts increased anxiety and confusion.
- Women informed of dense breasts sought more GP advice.
- UK considers Australia's findings on breast density disclosure.
New research from Australia indicates that informing women about their breast density during screening can heighten feelings of anxiety and confusion. The study, involving over 2,400 women, found that those told they had dense breasts were significantly more likely to seek additional guidance from their general practitioners.
This disclosure, however, did not necessarily lead to greater understanding or empower women to make more informed decisions about their breast health. Instead, it primarily generated psychological distress, with participants expressing a desire for professional guidance on how to interpret these results.
The findings are particularly relevant as the UK's National Screening Committee reviews whether to adopt similar practices. While dense breasts can make mammograms harder to read and are a risk factor for cancer, the study highlights the potential negative emotional consequences of communicating this information directly to patients.
