Suzanne C O'Neill1, Kara Grace Leventhal2, Marie Scarles2, Chalanda N Evans2, Erini Makariou3, Edward Pien3, Shawna Willey4. 1. Department of Oncology, Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Familial Cancer Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Electronic address: sco4@georgetown.edu. 2. Department of Oncology, Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Familial Cancer Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. 3. Department of Radiology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC. 4. Department of Surgery, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast density is an established, independent risk factor for breast cancer. Despite this, density has not been included in standard risk models or routinely disclosed to patients. However, this is changing in the face of legal mandates and advocacy efforts. Little information exists regarding women's awareness of density as a risk factor, their personal risk, and risk management options. METHODS: We assessed awareness of density as a risk factor and whether sociodemographic variables, breast cancer risk factors. and perceived breast cancer risk were associated with awareness in 344 women with a recent screening mammogram at a tertiary care center. FINDINGS: Overall, 62% of women had heard about density as a risk factor and 33% had spoken to a provider about breast density. Of the sample, 18% reported that their provider indicated that they had high breast density. Awareness of density as a risk factor was greater among White women and those with other breast cancer risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that although a growing number of women are aware of breast density as a risk factor, this awareness varies. Growing mandates for disclosure suggest the need for patient education interventions for women at increased risk for the disease and to ensure all women are equally aware of their risks.
BACKGROUND: Breast density is an established, independent risk factor for breast cancer. Despite this, density has not been included in standard risk models or routinely disclosed to patients. However, this is changing in the face of legal mandates and advocacy efforts. Little information exists regarding women's awareness of density as a risk factor, their personal risk, and risk management options. METHODS: We assessed awareness of density as a risk factor and whether sociodemographic variables, breast cancer risk factors. and perceived breast cancer risk were associated with awareness in 344 women with a recent screening mammogram at a tertiary care center. FINDINGS: Overall, 62% of women had heard about density as a risk factor and 33% had spoken to a provider about breast density. Of the sample, 18% reported that their provider indicated that they had high breast density. Awareness of density as a risk factor was greater among White women and those with other breast cancer risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that although a growing number of women are aware of breast density as a risk factor, this awareness varies. Growing mandates for disclosure suggest the need for patient education interventions for women at increased risk for the disease and to ensure all women are equally aware of their risks.
Authors: Carmen N West; Ann M Geiger; Sarah M Greene; Emily L Harris; In-Lu A Liu; Mary B Barton; Joann G Elmore; Sharon Rolnick; Larissa Nekhlyudov; Andrea Altschuler; Lisa J Herrinton; Suzanne W Fletcher; Karen M Emmons Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr Date: 2005
Authors: William E Barlow; Emily White; Rachel Ballard-Barbash; Pamela M Vacek; Linda Titus-Ernstoff; Patricia A Carney; Jeffrey A Tice; Diana S M Buist; Berta M Geller; Robert Rosenberg; Bonnie C Yankaskas; Karla Kerlikowske Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2006-09-06 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: J P Costantino; M H Gail; D Pee; S Anderson; C K Redmond; J Benichou; H S Wieand Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 1999-09-15 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Deborah J Rhodes; Carmen Radecki Breitkopf; Jeanette Y Ziegenfuss; Sarah M Jenkins; Celine M Vachon Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2015-03-02 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Christine Gunn; Ariel Maschke; Timothy Bickmore; Mark Kennedy; Margaret F Hopkins; Michael D C Fishman; Michael K Paasche-Orlow; Erica T Warner Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2020-01-09 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Sarah Knerr; Karen J Wernli; Kathleen Leppig; Kelly Ehrlich; Amanda L Graham; David Farrell; Chalanda Evans; George Luta; Marc D Schwartz; Suzanne C O'Neill Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2017-02-28 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Christine M Gunn; Amy Fitzpatrick; Sarah Waugh; Michelle Carrera; Nancy R Kressin; Michael K Paasche-Orlow; Tracy A Battaglia Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2018-10-22 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Siobhan S Mahorter; Sarah Knerr; Erin J Aiello Bowles; Karen J Wernli; Hongyuan Gao; Marc D Schwartz; Suzanne C O'Neill Journal: Cancer Date: 2020-01-24 Impact factor: 6.860