Women's satisfaction with information at breast biopsy in breast cancer screening

Information needs, satisfaction with information and information sources of women referred for surgical biopsy in mammography screening were explored. Forty-five Finnish women (23 benign and 22 malignant finding) replied to a mailed questionnaire containing fixed-choice and open-ended questions 10 weeks after biopsy. Information was regarded an important form of support. In response to fixed-choice questions the women expressed a general satisfaction with the information received at the hospital, but answers to open questions revealed shortcomings in the ways of being informed. The results underscored the active role of the staff in giving information, in matching the information to women's needs and abilities at the time and in encouraging patients to express their concerns, Up to the point of diagnosis the needs of women with benign and malignant finding were similar. Regardless of diagnosis the women should be provided with reassuring information throughout and after the examination period. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.