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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast : psychological issues surrounding its detection, diagnosis and treatment

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast : psychological issues surrounding its detection, diagnosis and treatment
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast : psychological issues surrounding its detection, diagnosis and treatment

The number of diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has increased considerably since the introduction of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), but the general public seems to be largely unaware of this condition.

A study of epidemiological data provided evidence for the above mentioned increase in the number of DCIS diagnoses in the old Wessex region together with the likelihood of continuing increases in the near future.

A second study involving a breast screening questionnaire, which was completed by 1,190 women employed by the University of Southampton in the autumn of 1998, showed that despite the NHSBSP and the increased media attention devoted to breast cancer, there are still misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about the disease in general and about DCIS in particular.

Finally, an in-depth longitudinal study of 13 women diagnosed with DCIS, who were followed up for the first six months after diagnosis, was carried out. The analysis of both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data revealed that patients suffered from high psychological morbidity levels at diagnosis, although these decreased at follow-up. They were unaware of DCIS prior to diagnosis. The information they received was mainly disease-related, and although on the whole declared themselves to be satisfied with it, information gaps became apparent as the interviews proceeded, and some women still had information needs at follow-up. Despite the potential for DCIS patients to become involved in the treatment decision-making process, most of the participants in the present study were not given a choice of treatment. Many of them were satisfied with this, as they preferred to play a passive role in the treatment decision-making process, particularly at diagnosis. However, a minority showed a preference for a more active involvement at all times.

University of Southampton
Carrera, Cristina
73371074-8a39-494c-9c11-c7000edc1115
Carrera, Cristina
73371074-8a39-494c-9c11-c7000edc1115

Carrera, Cristina (2001) Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast : psychological issues surrounding its detection, diagnosis and treatment. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The number of diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has increased considerably since the introduction of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), but the general public seems to be largely unaware of this condition.

A study of epidemiological data provided evidence for the above mentioned increase in the number of DCIS diagnoses in the old Wessex region together with the likelihood of continuing increases in the near future.

A second study involving a breast screening questionnaire, which was completed by 1,190 women employed by the University of Southampton in the autumn of 1998, showed that despite the NHSBSP and the increased media attention devoted to breast cancer, there are still misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about the disease in general and about DCIS in particular.

Finally, an in-depth longitudinal study of 13 women diagnosed with DCIS, who were followed up for the first six months after diagnosis, was carried out. The analysis of both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data revealed that patients suffered from high psychological morbidity levels at diagnosis, although these decreased at follow-up. They were unaware of DCIS prior to diagnosis. The information they received was mainly disease-related, and although on the whole declared themselves to be satisfied with it, information gaps became apparent as the interviews proceeded, and some women still had information needs at follow-up. Despite the potential for DCIS patients to become involved in the treatment decision-making process, most of the participants in the present study were not given a choice of treatment. Many of them were satisfied with this, as they preferred to play a passive role in the treatment decision-making process, particularly at diagnosis. However, a minority showed a preference for a more active involvement at all times.

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Published date: 2001

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Local EPrints ID: 466970
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466970
PURE UUID: 4cd26320-f0ef-4523-8f69-e0dd23dd5337

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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 08:04
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:54

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Author: Cristina Carrera

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