Fear of the Unknown: The Benefits of a Patient Educational Handout on Breast Biopsy Markers

Objective To determine whether providing a biopsy marker informational handout to patients improves patient knowledge and comfort with receiving a marker. Methods In this IRB-exempt prospective study, a patient educational handout on breast biopsy markers was developed. A questionnaire was created with four questions asking patients to self-evaluate their knowledge of biopsy markers and their comfort level with marker placement before and after reading the handout. Technologists distributed the educational handouts to patients presenting for a percutaneous breast biopsy under any modality from December 11, 2020, to April 23, 2021. Data from the completed questionnaires were entered into a database. Statistical analyses included paired t-test and Wilcoxon analyses. Results In total, 141 completed surveys were included in the analysis. The mean scores prior to reading the handout for knowledge and comfort were 2.59 and 3.40, respectively. After reading the handout, there was a significant increase in mean scores for knowledge and comfort (4.26 and 4.20, respectively) (P < 0.001). There was a 64% increase vs 23% increase for knowledge and comfort, respectively. Conclusion Patient-assessed knowledge of biopsy markers increased significantly after reading our educational handout. Patient-assessed comfort with biopsy marker placement also increased significantly after reading the educational handout, though to a lesser degree than knowledge. Although not included in our study, use of an educational handout may impact patient acceptance of marker placement. Future directions may include quantitatively assessing the effect of the handout on time to consent for a biopsy or influence on acceptance of marker placement.