Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Psychological Distress in a Representative Sample of Middle-aged Finnish Women

We studied the associations of vicarious breast cancer experience, risk factor knowledge, and use of different coping styles with risk perception and psychological distress among 1544 women, shortly before they were invited to participate in a nationwide breast cancer screening program. In analyses of variance, experience and risk factor knowledge had a significant effect on risk perception but not on psychological distress; optimistic and emotion-focused coping styles had an effect on both. Risk perception had a strong association with distress with a 13% effect size, and not only with illness-related distress but also with anxiety and depression. Experience of breast cancer or having affected first-degree relatives and knowing that this may be a risk factor seem insufficient to increase distress; heightened risk perception and coping styles implying focus on negative emotions and lack of optimism are more important. Research and counselling should not be limited to high-risk populations, since perceptions of increased risk and accompanying distress are also evident in other groups.

Keywords:

• Coping
• Risk Perception
• Psychological Distress
• Breast Cancer
• Experience