Perception of care and experience of examination in women at risk of breast cancer undergoing intensive surveillance by standard imaging with or without MRI.

Objective: Intensive surveillance in women at breast cancer risk is currently investigated in a French prospective, non-randomized, multicenter study, in which standard imaging--mammography±ultrasound ('Mx') and standard imaging combined with magnetic resonance imaging ('MRI') are compared with regard to perception of care and examination experience.

Methods: 1561 women were invited to complete the STAI-State Anxiety Inventory and breast cancer risk perception items at baseline (T0), and MGQ (MammoGraphy Questionnaire) and MRI discomfort items within 2 days after examinations (T1).

Results: Baseline compliance was high (>91%). Women from the 'MRI' group were significantly younger and displayed higher education level and risk perception. MRI discomfort related to the duration, immobility, prone position or noise was experienced by more than 20% of women. In multivariate analyses, 'MRI' was associated with more favorable examination psychological experience (p≤.001), especially in women younger than 50; baseline STAI-State anxiety was associated with lower MGQ scores (p≤.001) and higher MRI discomfort (p≤.001).

Conclusion: In spite of the discomfort experienced with MRI, perception of care and experience with this surveillance procedure was more positive than with standard imaging.

Practice Implications: Information and support may assuage some of the adverse effects of an uncomfortable examination technique.