Pamphlet boosts women's mammography knowledge

NEW YORK, June 15 (Reuters) A simple pamphlet on the benefits and risks of mammography can teach women a lot, even if they've had the procedure numerous times before, study findings show.

Researchers found that among 668 women about to undergo a mammogram, those who received two educational pamphlets shortly before their appointment were better informed about the benefits and risks of the breast cancer screening procedure.

Compared with their peers, they were more likely to know that most women should begin having mammograms at age 40, and that experts recommend yearly mammograms thereafter.

These women also showed a better understanding of the limits of mammography. They were more likely to know, for instance, that most abnormalities detected by mammogram -- more than 80 percent -- turn out to be non-cancerous.

One of the striking things about the findings, according to the researchers, is that nearly all of the women in the study had undergone mammography before -- more than seven times in most cases.

These are the very women doctors might assume to be well-informed and comfortable with mammography, note Caroline P. Haakenson and her colleagues at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

A number of studies have shown that many women are confused about the benefits and limitations of mammography. Giving simple written information to women before they have the procedure is one way to address the problem, the Mayo researchers point out, but it has been unclear whether this really improves women's knowledge.

Women in the study were randomly assigned to either a ''control'' group that received no written information, or one that received two educational pamphlets one to two weeks before their next mammogram.

All of the women were given a survey to assess their mammography knowledge, according to the report in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

In general, women in the pamphlet group knew more of the facts regarding mammography; but they also said that the information reduced their anxiety -- by reassuring them, for example, that an abnormal mammogram usually does not mean cancer.

Given the lack of discussion time during the typical doctor's appointment, the researchers note, the potential benefits of written information are particularly important.

Reuters SRS DB0952