False positive results in ovarian cancer screening: One year follow-up of psychological status

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Abstract
Over the past few years rising concern has been voiced regarding the emotional aftermath of false positive results in screening for cancer. The present study compared psychological status in women with negative and false positive results at ovarian cancer screening, one year after the event. Women with false positive results were subdivided into those who were positive at the first scan, but negative thereafter and those who were referred for surgery before they could be reassured that they did not have cancer. The aim was to assess longer term distress using standardised questionnaire measures of psychological disturbance. Results indicated that in general, women with a false positive result at ovarian cancer screening did not have elevated scores on psychometric measures of psychiatric morbidity (GHQ-28) or anxiety (STAI), although significantly more of the women who had false positive than negative results described themselves as “more worried” about cancer since taking part in the screening programme. However, the sub-group of women who had received surgical intervention showed a tendency towards heightened levels of anxiety and GHQ scores. There was also a significant interaction between coping style (Miller monitoring score) and scan result, with the highest GHQ scores in the high monitors in the surgery group. These findings suggest that false positive results at the first stage of screening may be associated with increased worry about cancer, but overall there is little evidence for persistent severe adverse psychological effects. However, if surgical intervention is required, even when no cancer is detected, there may be longer-term adverse effects.