Perceptions of Breast Cancer Risk and Screening Effectiveness in Women Younger Than 50 Years of Age

摘要: Background : The National Cancer Institute has recently changed its approach and substituted summary-of-evidence statements for specific recommendations breast cancer screening in women 40-50 years of age, leaving these with a greater share decision-making responsibility. To make an informed decision about screening, need accurate information their risk the benefit screening. Although it been suggested that younger than 50 age overestimate this benefit, estimates have not quantified. Purpose purpose study was to determine how perceive effectiveness perceptions compare derived from epidemiologic studies incidence randomized clinical trials Methods We mailed questionnaire 200 women, identified through computerized medical records Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, who were between 40 had no history cancer. Each woman asked her factors estimate probabilities developing dying within 10 years, without women's answers compared individual Gail et al. model, age-specific United States, results Results completed returned by 145 (73%) women. Respondents overestimated probability more 20-fold (median, 22.3 ; interquartile range, 11.1-74.2). Assuming 10% relative reduction respondents sixfold 6.0 5.0-7.5) absolute 100-fold 127.5 47.1-399.6). median perceived deaths per 100 calculated only 0.04 Conclusion These findings suggest many substantially Implications A balanced presentation may improve making reduce anxiety cancer, regardless whether they choose be screened. [J Natl Inst 87 :720-731, 1995]