TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical, demographic, and psychological characteristics of new, asymptomatic participants in a transvaginal ultrasound screening program for ovarian cancer
AU - Salsman, John M.
AU - Pavlik, Edward
AU - Boerner, Laura M.
AU - Andrykowski, Michael A.
PY - 2004/8
Y1 - 2004/8
N2 - Background. Attitudinal, mood, and personality variables have been identified as predictors of uptake of routine screening for a variety of cancers, including those of the breast, cervix, and colon. Little information exists, however, regarding characteristics of participants in ovarian cancer (OC) screening. Method. Asymptomatic women (n = 312; mean age = 57.45 years; range = 26-80) were assessed immediately before undergoing an initial transvaginal sonography (TVS) screening test for ovarian cancer (OCS group). Their responses were compared to identical information obtained from an age- and education-matched group of women with no history of screening for OC (HC group). All respondents completed measures of OC-related attitudes, knowledge, beliefs and risk perceptions, dispositional characteristics (informational coping style and dispositional optimism), and psychological distress. Results. Analyses revealed the OCS group was characterized not only by more OC-specific distress and a more extensive family history of OC but also by less optimism and less knowledge of OC risk factors. Group membership was unrelated to beliefs about the efficacy of TVS screening. Conclusion. Results have implications for development of programs to increase appropriate participation in OC screening programs.
AB - Background. Attitudinal, mood, and personality variables have been identified as predictors of uptake of routine screening for a variety of cancers, including those of the breast, cervix, and colon. Little information exists, however, regarding characteristics of participants in ovarian cancer (OC) screening. Method. Asymptomatic women (n = 312; mean age = 57.45 years; range = 26-80) were assessed immediately before undergoing an initial transvaginal sonography (TVS) screening test for ovarian cancer (OCS group). Their responses were compared to identical information obtained from an age- and education-matched group of women with no history of screening for OC (HC group). All respondents completed measures of OC-related attitudes, knowledge, beliefs and risk perceptions, dispositional characteristics (informational coping style and dispositional optimism), and psychological distress. Results. Analyses revealed the OCS group was characterized not only by more OC-specific distress and a more extensive family history of OC but also by less optimism and less knowledge of OC risk factors. Group membership was unrelated to beliefs about the efficacy of TVS screening. Conclusion. Results have implications for development of programs to increase appropriate participation in OC screening programs.
KW - Cancer screening
KW - Distress
KW - Psychosocial
KW - Risk perception
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.04.023
DO - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.04.023
M3 - Article
C2 - 15226040
AN - SCOPUS:3042672431
VL - 39
SP - 315
EP - 322
IS - 2
ER -
