| Description |
Screening mammography is an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. Cancer can be detected earlier through the use of mammography, resulting in decreased breast cancer mortality. However, several deterrents to mammography have been identified, including attitudinal barriers. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to describe various factors such as trait affect and personal characteristics expected to be associated with a woman's experience of pain or discomfort during screening mammography. In addition, sensations experienced during the mammogram were described. Using a Preprocedure Questionnaire and a Postprocedure Questionnaire, developed for this study, as well as a measure of trait affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)), the women (N = 99) rated several variables believed to influence the experience of pain or discomfort during mammography. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients. Mammography pain was not related to a previous mammogram, family history, weight, cup size, menstrual history, hormone replacement, caffeine ingestion, waiting time, technician, time of day, machine, number of pregnancies, breastfeeding history, breast pain prior to mammography, or trait negative/positive affectivity. However, as expected, pain and the rating of mammography as being uncomfortable were highly positively related, as were mammogram pain and the likelihood that pain would prevent women from seeking another mammogram. The sensations most frequently reported during screening mammography included pressure, pulling, stretching, pinching, and crushing |
