Determination of The Anxiety Level of Women Who Present for Mammography

Abstract

Objective: This paper was to examine the role of anxiety in mammography screening. Breast cancer screening with mammography has been shown to be effective for preventing breast cancer death. However mammography screening can be harmful to women. One of the major problems is anxiety or lack of peace of mind in mammography screening. Methodology: This study was conducted between November 3, 2007, and December 30, 2007, in Ordu Maternity and Childbirth Hospital. 93 women participated in the study. A 23-item questionnaire and the 20-item State Anxiety Inventory, developed by Spielberger et al. were completed by the participants. All numerical values were given as average +/- standard deviation; p<0.05 was accepted for level of significance. Results: The average age of the participants was 47.83 +/- 7.50, the average age at marriage was 20.03 +/- 4.18, the average birth number 2.91 +/- 1.21, and the average age at menopause was 46.10 +/- 4.70. The average anxiety level was found to be 46.20 +/- 4.9. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between education level, age at marriage, status of doing breast self examination, status of having a mammography for a breast-related complaint, and the number of mammograms done. Conclusion: It was determined that women who had mammography had a moderate level of anxiety.