False Positives in Mammogram Screenings Should Not Discourage Women

Early detection of breast cancer through mammography screening continues to save lives. However, abnormal findings on mammograms can lead to women being recalled for additional imaging and biopsies, many of which turn out to be “false positives,” meaning they do not result in a cancer diagnosis. While false-positive mammograms can be stressful, they are a normal part of the breast cancer screening process and should not discourage women from continuing to get mammograms.

“False-positive results are more common with first mammogram, in younger women, or if previous mammograms aren't available for comparison,” says Neha Modi, MD, Division Director of Breast Imaging at MetroWest Medical Center. “Women with dense breasts, who have had breast biopsies, who have breast cancer in the family, or are taking estrogen, also receive false positives. In fact, about half of the women getting annual mammograms over a 10-year period will have a false-positive finding at some point.”

False-positive results occur when an abnormality appears on a mammogram but further testing reveals there is no cancer. Women with false-positive results have an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly women who had calcifications at mammography. According to Dr. Modi, women who had more than one examination with false-positive findings and in whom the mammographic features changed over time had a highly increased risk of breast cancer. Previous mammographic features might yield useful information for further risk-prediction models and personalized follow-up screening protocols.

“False-positive mammograms are associated with a measurable, small, and transient effect on personal anxiety,” says Dr. Modi. She also adds that it does not seem to affect long-term anxiety (as per one of the studies psychosocial consequences from having false-positive screening mammography results diminish after six months) and that further research should address opportunities for reducing this anxiety.

According to the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, the bottom line is that women who experience false-positive results should continue screening every year, as a false-positive—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. Cancer risk also increases with age.

To learn more about mammography and breast screenings, and to make your mammogram appointment with MetroWest Medical Center, please visit here