False positive mammograms discourage some women from future screening

Early detection of breast cancer through mammograms continues to save lives. However, when an abnormality is found on a mammogram, women may be referred back for additional imaging or biopsies. Many of these results are “false positives” – results that do not result in a diagnosis of cancer. False positives can have financial impacts on patients and cause significant psychological anxiety.

A large new study led by the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that women who receive a false-positive result that requires additional imaging or a biopsy are less likely to return for subsequent testing.

This study Annals of Internal Medicine The study was published on September 3. The research team analyzed data from more than 3.5 million mammograms performed between 2005 and 2017 on more than one million patients aged 40 to 73 nationwide.

“This finding raises concerns that false-positive results may have the unintended consequence of leading women to avoid future mammograms,” said lead author Diana Miglioretti, a researcher and head of the biostatistics department at the UC Davis Cancer Center.

To researchers, the findings are worrying.

The study found that 77% of women who had a negative mammogram returned for a subsequent test, but this dropped to 61% if they had a false-positive result that required a repeat mammogram six months later to confirm the result, and to 67% if a biopsy was recommended.

The effect was even more pronounced for women who had false-positive results on two consecutive mammograms and were advised short-term follow-up: only 56% of women went on to receive their next mammogram.

The high rate of women not undergoing future testing is a concern for the research team.

“It is important that women who experience a false-positive result continue to be screened every one to two years,” Miglioretti said. “False-positive results, especially if they lead to a diagnosis of benign breast disease, put them at higher risk for a future breast cancer diagnosis.”

The survey also found that Asian and Hispanic/Latina women were the least likely to return home in the future. Mammography Following a false-positive result, it may contribute to existing health disparities.

False positive results are especially Young womanIt occurs in 10-12% of screening mammograms in women age 40-49. After 10 years of annual screening, 50-60% of women are expected to have at least one false positive, and 7-12% of women will have at least one false positive and a biopsy would be recommended.

“Most women who were referred for further imaging because of screening mammogram findings breast cancer“Don't be alarmed if you are called back for additional testing, this is a normal and common part of screening tests,” Miglioretti said.

It is important for women to understand that there is about a 10% chance that additional imaging will be needed to further investigate screening mammogram findings.

Steps to consider

Miglioretti said women who feel anxious while waiting for their mammogram results may consider requesting an on-site mammogram interpretation, a service some centers offer along with same-day diagnostic testing if there are suspicious findings.

She also said it's important for doctors to carefully explain false-positive results to patients, reassure them that the results are negative and stress the importance of continued testing.

More information:
the impact of false positives on future screening; Annals of Internal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.7326/M24-0123

Citation: False positive mammograms discourage some women from future screenings (September 2, 2024) Retrieved September 3, 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-false-positive-mammograms-discourage-women.html

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