Rates and correlates of discomfort associated with mammography

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the rates and correlates of discomfort at mammography in asymptomatic women aged 50-74 years from six San Diego, Calif, mammography facilities.

Materials and methods: Subjects (N = 1,800) completed a 43-item telephone interview approximately 3 weeks after screening mammography. Bivariate associations between variables were analyzed with chi(2) analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent predictors of discomfort at mammography while controlling for all other factors.

Results: Nine hundred thirty-three (52%) women reported moderate to extreme discomfort at mammography. Discomfort was not related to the intention to undergo future mammography (P =.95). Factors that were significantly associated with discomfort in multivariate analyses were facility (P <.001), satisfaction with care (P <.04), and perception of the technologist's "roughness" (P <.001).

Conclusion: Discomfort, although not related to the intention to undergo future mammography, had a relatively high incidence.