Quantitative Issues in Cancer Research Working Seminar

Carmen B. Rodriguez
Doctoral Student, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University

“Breast cancer worry, uncertainty, and perceived risk following breast density notification in a longitudinal mammography screening cohort”

Abstract: This paper is a culmination of my work at Columbia SPH, Department of Epidemiology. Briefly, the existence of socioeconomic, racial and ethnic gaps in the understanding of the dense breast notification (DBN) legislation (passed in 2019) have been documented. However, its effect on women’s cognitive and emotional appraisal of the notification information which affect screening behavior remained unknown. In this project, we examined short- and long-term psychological responses to DBN and awareness of breast density by education, health literacy, nativity and dominant language. We used data from a predominantly Latina and foreign-born New York City screening cohort (63% Spanish-speaking) and ages 40-60. We found that associations of breast density awareness and breast cancer related psychological outcomes differed by education and language. Women with lower educational attainment or language barriers could specifically benefit from outreach to clarify the implications of breast density and reduce uncertainty around risk and screening choices.