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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify the prevalence of distress in women undergoing a breast diagnostic evaluation.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to describe three factors that influence distress levels in a woman undergoing a breast diagnostic evaluation.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional, descriptive design, 9 women, aged 33-66 years undergoing core needle or surgical breast biopsy at an outpatient radiology clinic in Southeastern Ohio hospital were asked to complete a set of valid self-report questionnaires.
Results: Anxiety appears to be the most specific manifestation of distress. Trait anxiety was the most significant predictive factor for level of anxiety; other factors impacting anxiety levels included level of resilience, perceived social support, and meaning in life. No significant relationships existed among demographic characteristics, including age and the presence of children in the home, and scores on the HADS or STAI State scales. The presence of depressive symptoms correlated with the same factors with the addition of using avoidance coping strategies (f= .14.34, p= .007). A multiple regression model with trait anxiety, perceived social support, using avoidant coping and resilience explained 94.7 % of the variance in score on the STAI state scale (f= 17.88, p= .008). Level of trait anxiety accounted for 73.6% of the variance in STAI state score. 1 subject reported an anxiety level above the cut-off point for clinically defined anxiety disorder.
Conclusions: Further investigation is needed to better understand factors that influence distress, especially if this will lead to the implementation of screening protocols and interventions that have the potential to alter treatment outcomes in those diagnosed with breast cancer. In the interim, nurses should be proactive in providing guidance to women undergoing an evaluation, be alert to the potential for distress, perform appropriate screenings, and offer needed supportive care.