Predicting Women's Delay in Seeking Medical Care after Discovery of a Lump in the Breast: The Role of Personality and Behavior Patterns

Abstract

Experts agree that the detection of breast cancer in the early stages significantly enhances the chance of recovery. Although most women are aware of this, many still delay in seeking medical care. This study examined the relationship between four personality measures—health locus of control, hopelessness, repression-sensitization, and trait anxiety—and women's delay in approaching a doctor after discovering a lump in the breast. The authors also examined the relationship between delay and behavioral manifestations of body awareness representing the extent of the women's “contact” with their bodies. Five self-report inventories were administered to 62 women who had come for a biopsy as a result of a suspected breast tumor. No significant correlations were found between the personality variables and the time that elapsed before the women approached a doctor. On the other hand, a significant correlation was found between delay in seeking medical care and the measure of the woman's “contact” with her body. Possible explanations to account for these results are suggested and their application to planning health education programs is discussed.

Index Terms:

• breast cancer
• locus of control
• women's illness behavior