Risk perceptions and psychosocial outcomes of women with ductal carcinoma in situ: Longitudinal results from a cohort study

Abstract

Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has a generally favorable overall prognosis, with a systemic recurrence rate of approximately 1%, a local recurrence rate after mastectomy of 1%, and a local recurrence rate after breast-conserving treatment of less than 10%. Preliminary studies have suggested that women with DCIS may overestimate their risk of disease recurrence. Few data exist regarding psychosocial outcomes for women with DCIS. Methods: Women in Eastern Massachusetts with newly diagnosed DCIS were asked to participate in a longitudinal study of risk perceptions, psychosocial concerns, and health behaviors. Psychosocial outcomes after DCIS diagnosis and risk perceptions were evaluated at enrollment and at 9 and 18 months. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Four hundred eighty-seven women with DCIS (64% of eligible participants) completed the enrollment survey. Overall quality of life was good among the women surveyed, and the substantial anxiety at enrollment decreased with time (P