David S. White, MD

This population-based study found that women who had a false-positive mammogram had higher rates of rescreening at 18- and 30-month follow-up. In 10 years of annual screening, 50% of women will have a false-positive mammogram. However, the consequences of false-positives do not deter women from continued breast cancer screening.

When evaluating screening tests it is important to consider the effect of a false-positive test on the people being screened. The subsequent work-up for each false-positive may increase patient anxiety, total costs, and the risk of morbidity from unnecessary interventions.

This population-based study found that women who had a false-positive mammogram had higher rates of rescreening at 18- and 30-month follow-up. In 10 years of annual screening, 50% of women will have a false-positive mammogram. However, the consequences of false-positives do not deter women from continued breast cancer screening.

When evaluating screening tests it is important to consider the effect of a false-positive test on the people being screened. The subsequent work-up for each false-positive may increase patient anxiety, total costs, and the risk of morbidity from unnecessary interventions.

This population-based study found that women who had a false-positive mammogram had higher rates of rescreening at 18- and 30-month follow-up. In 10 years of annual screening, 50% of women will have a false-positive mammogram. However, the consequences of false-positives do not deter women from continued breast cancer screening.

When evaluating screening tests it is important to consider the effect of a false-positive test on the people being screened. The subsequent work-up for each false-positive may increase patient anxiety, total costs, and the risk of morbidity from unnecessary interventions.