RECALLING WOMEN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF BREAST SCREENING - WOMENS EXPERIENCES AT THE CLINIC AND AFTERWARDS

Background In 1993-1994 about 66 000 women in breast screening were ca lled back (recalled) to a specialized centre for further investigation (assessment). The information requirements of these women during and after their appointment were investigated. Ninety per cent of recalled women were found not to have cancer. Methods Consecutive women (n = 2 132) from eight breast screening centres throughout the United Kingdom were asked to complete a postal questionnaire two weeks after attenda nce at assessment. No reminder was sent. Results The response rate was 70 per cent. Communication was viewed by women as the most stress-rel ieving aspect of the recall appointment. Women from centres where nurs es provided the opportunity to talk in private before further investig ation were less likely to want to talk later about why assessment was needed for them (4 per cent) than women from centres not using a nurse for this purpose (30 per cent) (p < 0.0001). The former were also les s likely to want more information about the tests they had had (2 per cent physical examination, 2 per cent X-rays, 3 per cent ultrasound) t han the latter (6 per cent, 9 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively) (p < 0.005). Distressed/very distressed women were more likely to have wanted to talk to someone at the centre about the reason for recall ( 26 per cent) than somewhat distressed/ not distressed women (18 per ce nt) (p < 0.0001). However, the former were no more likely to have spok en to staff about it than the latter (33 per cent vs 32 per cent). Way s to improve the giving of results were identified. After the appointm ent women commented that there was a need for more information about h armless breast conditions. Conclusions Overall the quality of communic ation at assessment was viewed highly by women, but varied considerabl y between centres. There is scope for substantial further improvement, Breast care nurses can play an important role in this.