F M Kew1, V J Whittaker, D J Cruickshank. 1. Department of Gynaecological Oncology, James Cook University Hospital, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK. Fiona@drsmiller.freeserve.co.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women find that having a transvaginal ultrasound scan is better or worse than they had expected. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive women in an ovarian cancer screening trial filled in linked questionnaires before and after having a transvaginal ultrasound scan. RESULTS: The women found that having a transvaginal scan was less painful (P = 0.003) and less embarrassing (P = 0.001) than they had expected. They found it less uncomfortable than expected in comparison to having mammography (P = 0.013) or a cervical smear (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Women attending for a transvaginal scan can be reassured that it will not be as painful or embarrassing as they fear, and that it is not as uncomfortable as having mammography or a cervical smear.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women find that having a transvaginal ultrasound scan is better or worse than they had expected. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive women in an ovarian cancer screening trial filled in linked questionnaires before and after having a transvaginal ultrasound scan. RESULTS: The women found that having a transvaginal scan was less painful (P = 0.003) and less embarrassing (P = 0.001) than they had expected. They found it less uncomfortable than expected in comparison to having mammography (P = 0.013) or a cervical smear (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS:Women attending for a transvaginal scan can be reassured that it will not be as painful or embarrassing as they fear, and that it is not as uncomfortable as having mammography or a cervical smear.