Informing Patients about Breast Cancer Screening

In the Research Division of Family Medicine, a study of breast cancer screening beliefs and behaviors of women aged 40-49, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, is nearing completion. Efforts have shifted to data analysis and publication. Initial and six-month, follow-up interviews were completed with 300 women in their forties. Controversy exists among medical professionals about whether women in their forties should get annual screening mammograms. Investigators developed a method for communicating with patients about their individual risk of breast cancer and their potential outcomes of screening, in order to support the breast cancer screening decisions of women. Posters on this and other studies are available for viewing in the Research Division. For more information on this project, contact the principal investigator Dewey C. Scheid, M.D., M.P.H. at dewey-scheid@ouhsc.edu.