Older Women's Experience with a Benign Breast Biopsy-A Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about older women's experience with a benign breast biopsy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychological impact and experience of women >= 65 years of age with a benign breast biopsy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using quantitative and qualitative methods. SETTING: Three Boston-based breast imaging centers. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four English-speaking women >= 65 years without dementia referred for breast biopsy as a result of an abnormal mammogram, not aware of their biopsy results at baseline, and with a subsequent negative biopsy. MEASUREMENTS: We interviewed women at the time of breast biopsy (before women knew their results) and 6 months post-biopsy. At both interviews, participants completed the validated negative psychological consequences of screening mammography questionnaire (PCQ, scores range from 0 to 36 [high distress], PCQ >= 1 suggests a psychological consequence, PCQs <1 are reported at time of screening) and women responded to open-ended questions about their experience. At follow-up, participants described the quality of information received after their benign breast biopsy. We used a linear mixed effects model to examine if PCQs declined over time. We also reviewed participants' open-ended comments for themes. RESULTS: Overall, 88 % (83/94) of participants were non-Hispanic white and 33 % (31/94) had a high-school degree or less. At biopsy, 76 % (71/94) reported negative psychological consequences from their biopsy compared to 39 % (37/94) at follow-up (p < 0.01). In open-ended comments, participants noted the anxiety (29 %, 27/94) and discomfort (28 %, 26/94) experienced at biopsy (especially from positioning on the biopsy table). Participants requestedmore information to prepare for a biopsy and to interpret their negative results. Forty-four percent (39/89) reported at least a little anxiety about future mammograms. CONCLUSIONS: The high psychological burden of a benign breast biopsy among older women significantly diminishes with time but does not completely resolve. To reduce this burden, older women need more information about undergoing a breast biopsy.