Adherence to Mammography and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Women 50–80 Years of Age: The Role of Psychological Distress

O'Donnell, Suzy; Goldstein, Bram; DiMatteo, M. Robin; Fox, Sarah A.; John, Cameron R.; Obrzut, John E.

doi:10.1016/j.whi.2010.04.002

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Volume 20, Issue 5 , Pages 343-349, September 2010

Adherence to Mammography and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Women 50–80 Years of Age:

The Role of Psychological Distress

Suzy O'Donnell, PhD
- UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Department of Health Services Los Angeles, California
Bram Goldstein, PhD
- Gynecologic Oncology Associates and Hoag Hospital Cancer Center, Newport Beach, California
- Correspondence to: Bram Goldstein, PhD, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Hoag Hospital Cancer Center, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Phone: 949-642-1361; fax: 949-646-7157.
M. Robin DiMatteo, PhD
- University of California, Riverside, Department of Psychology, Riverside, California
Sarah A. Fox, EdD
- UCLA Department of Internal Medicine, Los Angeles, California
Cameron R. John, PhD
- Utah Valley State College, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Orem, Utah
John E. Obrzut, PhD
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Received 27 May 2009; received in revised form 7 April 2010; accepted 8 April 2010.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of women's attitudes and health beliefs regarding breast and colorectal cancer screening practices.

Methods

Nine hundred five women, 50 to 80 years of age, were recruited from 63 randomly selected physician offices within the greater Los Angeles area. The Health Belief Model was used to evaluate potential predictor variables associated with patients' breast and colorectal cancer screening practices.

Results

The study results revealed that mammographic screening compliance was relatively high (70%), whereas only 29% of the patients were compliant with fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening guidelines. Women were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT. Psychological distress had one of the strongest, negative associations with breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening, and was also a prevalent predictor for many of the variables examined.

Conclusion

Psychological distress seems to negatively impact a patient's decision to adhere to breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening recommendations, although participants were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT.