[Psychological consequences of breast cancer screening among healthy women]

Abstract

The number of healthy women undergoing screening for cancer is very large. It is therefore important to know about the psychological consequences of screening. The literature for this review was found by searching in national and international databases and reading lists of references. This review finds that both women with negative test results and women with false positive test results report on psychological consequences such as fear and raised anxiety, depression, impaired working capacity, reduced self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as effects on their relationship to other people. They also report on physical symptoms such as impaired sleep or appetite. This review suggests that methods other than psychometric questionnaires would offer more knowledge on the subject and that future research should concentrate on those women experiencing serious psychological effects of screening.