Table 2.
Types of information wanted before deciding to have a diagnostic mammogram
| Information | Numbers of times mentioned | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unprompted | Prompted | Total | |
| Doctor's opinion about the lump | |||
| What is the lump? | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Is a mammogram necessary? Why? | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| What is the possible cause of the lump? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| Potential benefits | |||
| What benefit will a mammogram be? | 3 | ‐ | 3 |
| Potential risks | |||
| What are the dangers of having a mammogram? | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| Will I be exposed to radiation? | 4 | ‐ | 4 |
| Will the mammogram affect the lump? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| If it's a cyst, will it burst? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Possible side‐effects | |||
| Will the mammogram hurt? | 9 | 10 | 19 |
| What is the chance of each side‐effect? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Will I feel discomfort? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Accuracy | |||
| How accurate is a mammogram? | 7 | 13 | 20 |
| What is the chance it will miss a cancer? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Will the results be definitive enough for action to be taken? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Alternative tests | |||
| What other tests can I have? | 4 | ‐ | 4 |
| Could I have an ultrasound first? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| Will I need to have other tests after? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| Is a biopsy better than a mammogram | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Should I have a biopsy at the same time? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Is this the best test to have? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Practical issues | |||
| How is a mammogram actually done? | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| How long will it take? | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Where do I go to have it? | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| What do I need to take with me? | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Who conducts the test? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| What shouldn't I wear? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Can I wear talcum powder/deodorant? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Will I need to fast? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| How soon can I have it done? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| What different machines can be used? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Possible outcomes | |||
| What are the possible outcomes? | 5 | ‐ | 5 |
| What is the worst possible outcome? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| What will happen if I don't have it? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| What happens if it's cancer? | |||
| What are the treatment options? | 4 | ‐ | 4 |
| Would chemotherapy be required? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| What would the prognosis be? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| What is the treatment success rate? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| How far has the cancer spread? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Will I be able to keep working? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| How long will I need to convalesce? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Would there be support (e.g. home help) available? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Results | |||
| How long will it take to get the result? | 3 | ‐ | 3 |
| How do they determine if anything is wrong? | 2 | ‐ | 2 |
| Who examines the mammogram? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| How do I find out if anything is wrong? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| What happens once the result is known? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |
| Cost | |||
| Is there a Medicare rebate? | 1 | ‐ | 1 |