PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUND SCREENING FOR OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

Feelings and attitudes vis-àvis ultrasound screening for early detection of ovarian cancer were investigated in a randomly selected group with normal results. Of 319 women sent questionnaires concerning their reactions to the examination, 275 responded. Although all participants had been informed that they belonged to risk groups, 27% now believed they had been offered an ultrasound check-up for some other reason. The level of anxiety about ovarian cancer was evaluated on a visual analogue scale (range 0-100), the median value for the group as a whole being 29 and no risk group differing significantly. The median value for anxiety due to being invited to the ultrasound check-up was low (3.5)- An overwhelming majority (96% were satisfied with the information provided at examination, and 74% felt reassured afterwards, none being more anxious than before. Many (82% of the women felt the examination had been well worthwhile, and most (88% wished to be examined on a regular basis. The short-term effects of this type of screening would appear to be overwhelmingly beneficial among women with normal findings, though the long-term effects are unclear. There may be a danger that such screening programs might reduce the public concept of health to being a question of negative test results rather than a sense of fitness and well-being. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.