OBJECTIVE: Evaluate women’s anxiety and experience undergoing screening mammography during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An IRB-approved anonymous survey was administered to women receiving screening mammography across six sites in the U.S. and Singapore from October 7, 2020, to March 11, 2021. Using a 1–5 Likert scale, women rated their pre- and post-visit anxiety regarding having their mammogram during the COVID-19 pandemic, importance of observed COVID-19 precautions, and personal risk factors for breast cancer and severe COVID-19 illness. Post-visit change in anxiety was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations of pre-visit anxiety with breast cancer and COVID-19 risk factors. RESULTS: In total, 1086 women completed the survey. Of these, 59% (630/1061) had >1 breast cancer risk factor; 27% (282/1060) had >1 COVID-19 risk factors. Forty-two percent (445/1065) experienced pre-visit anxiety. Pre-visit anxiety was independently associated with risk factors for severe COVID-19 (OR for >2 vs 0 risk factors: 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–3.76) and breast cancer (OR for >2 vs 0 risk factors: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.17–2.50), after adjusting for age and site. Twenty-six percent (272/1065) of women reported post-visit anxiety, an absolute 16% decrease from pre-visit anxiety (95% CI: 14%–19%, P < 0.001). Provider masking (941/1075, 88%) and physical distancing (861/1085, 79%) were rated as the most important precautions. CONCLUSION: Pre-visit anxiety was associated with COVID-19 or breast cancer risk factors and declined significantly after screening mammography. Provider masking and physical distancing were rated the most important precautions implemented by imaging clinics.
Women’s Experience With Screening Mammography During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Institutional Prospective Survey Study