Breast Biopsy Notification Preferences and Health Literacy

Abstract

Introduction. Communication of breast biopsy results varies and does not always meet patient expectations. This study aimed to determine how patients previously diagnosed with breast cancer preferred to receive their biopsy results, including preferences for communication methods, the type of medical professional delivering the results, and wait time. Additionally, we evaluated how health literacy might affect these preferences.      

Methods. English-speaking female patients who had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer were surveyed at a breast surgery clinic in Wichita, Kansas. The survey included the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS), questions on how they received their biopsy results, and their preferences for receiving results. Participants were classified as having adequate or inadequate literacy based on their BHLS responses and a scoring system from previous research.

Results. The study included 101 participants. Overall, 64% preferred in-person communication, 40% preferred to hear from their primary care physician, 36% from their surgeon, and 56% wanted results within 24 hours. There was no statistically significant difference in preferences based on health literacy, including communication method (p = 0.44), type of medical professional (p = 0.56), and wait time (p = 0.38).  

Conclusions. Most participants preferred to receive biopsy results indicating a breast cancer diagnosis in-person, regardless of their health literacy. While it may be sufficient to call a patient with benign biopsy results, it is recommended to offer an in-person discussion for cancer diagnoses, respecting the patient's preference.