Title

A descriptive study of breast cancer worry

Abstract

Women with (n = 65) and without (n = 70) a family history of breast cancer re- ported on their thoughts and concern about the disease. Measures were taken across a 1-month interval and at a 1-year follow-up. Reported screening behaviors were also measured at baseline and the 1-year follow-up. Worry dissipated over time, suggesting that worry levels are affected by the measurement context. However, women with a family history of the disease maintained greater worry than those without such a history, suggesting that they may be chronically worried about the disease. Thinking and worrying about breast cancer were both modestly and positively related to the frequency of screening behaviors, suggesting that some kinds of worry can motivate self-protective behavior.

Department(s)

Psychology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018748712987

Keywords

worry, breast cancer, screening

Publication Date

1998

Journal Title

Journal of behavioral medicine

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