Psychological impact of recall in high-risk breast MRI screening

Abstract

Purpose: To address the widespread concern that false-positive results during breast MRI screening may have adverse psychological effects.

Methods: Impact of Event Scale measurements in 103 high-risk women enrolled in a longitudinal MRI screening study and comparison of subjects with normal results vs. those with prior recall events.

Results: Of 189 MRI scans performed, 64 (34%) prompted further evaluation. Subjects with previously abnormal results had significantly higher Avoidance scores at the time of their second MRI. Multivariate analysis showed this was driven by the greater number of BRCA1/2 carriers in that group but was not related to screening recall.

Conclusions: Practitioners' concerns about the high false positive rate of breast MRI may not be matched by actual psychological effects in most high-risk women.