Summary: False-positive mammogram results can lead to decreased return rates for future screenings, causing concern for researchers, especially as these results can contribute to emotional distress, financial strain, and potential health disparities among women.

Key Takeaways

  • False-positive mammogram results significantly decrease the likelihood of women returning for future screenings, raising concerns among researchers.
  • Women with false-positive results face increased emotional and financial stress, and this effect is more pronounced among Asian and Hispanic/Latinx women, contributing to health disparities.
  • Physicians should clearly explain false-positive results to reassure patients and emphasize the importance of continuing regular screenings to avoid future breast cancer risks.

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Early detection of breast cancer through mammography saves lives, but abnormal mammogram results can lead to additional tests and biopsies, many of which are false positives. These false positives can cause financial strain and emotional distress.

A new study from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found that women with false-positive results were less likely to return for future screenings. The study analyzed data from over 3.5 million mammograms performed on more than 1 million women aged 40-73 between 2005-2017.

“The finding raises concerns about the potential unintended consequence of false-positive results, where women may avoid screening mammograms in the future,” said lead author Diana Miglioretti, PhD, cancer center researcher and chief of the Division of Biostatistics at UC Davis.

Findings are Worrisome to Researchers

The study found that 77% of women with a negative result from a mammogram returned for subsequent screening. But this percentage dropped to 61% after a false-positive finding requiring another mammogram in six months to confirm the results and 67% if a biopsy was recommended. The impact was even more pronounced for women who received false-positive results on two consecutive mammograms recommending short-interval follow-up—only 56% returned their next screening mammogram.

The high rate of women who don’t return for future screening is concerning to the research team. “It is important for women with false-positive results to continue screening every one to two years,” Miglioretti says. “Having a false-positive result, especially if it results in a diagnosis of benign breast disease, is associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.”

The research also showed that Asian and Hispanic/Latinx women were the least likely to return for future screening mammograms after a false positive result, which may contribute to existing health disparities.

False-positive results are common, especially among younger women. They occur in 10-12% of mammograms in women 40-49 years of age. After 10 years of annual screenings, 50-60% of women can expect at least one false-positive and 7%-12% at least one false-positive with a biopsy recommendation.

“It’s important to understand that most women recalled for additional imaging due to a finding on a screening mammogram do not have breast cancer,” Miglioretti says. “They should try not to be worried if they are recalled for additional work-up. it is a normal and common part of the screening process.”

It is important for women to understand that about 10% of the time, additional imaging is necessary to get a better look at a finding on a screening mammogram.

Steps to Consider

Miglioretti says women who feel anxious while waiting for their screening mammography results might consider requesting an on-the-spot interpretation of their mammogram. Some facilities provide this service along with same-day diagnostic work-up, if there is a suspicious finding.

She emphasizes the importance of physicians clearly explaining false-positive results to reassure patients and encourage them to continue regular screenings.