Half of all women experience false positive mammograms after 10 years of annual screening (“Surprised…3D technology screening does not substantially reduce the risk of having a false positive” (Don’t fret over a positive))

Medical Xpress / UC Davis / JAMA Network Open ^ | Mar. 25, 2022 | Michael Bissel et al

[ConservativeMind]

A study found half of all women will experience at least one false positive mammogram over a decade of annual breast cancer screening with digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography). The risk of false positive results after 10 years of screening is lower in women screened every other year. A false positive is when a mammogram is flagged as abnormal, but there is no cancer in the breast.

It also showed that repeated screening with 3D mammography only modestly decreases the chance of having a false positive result compared with the standard digital 2D mammography. Other factors more strongly linked to a lower false positive risk included screening every other year and having non-dense breasts. Older women were also less likely to have a false positive result.

False positive results are common. While around 12% of 2D screening mammograms are recalled for more work-up, only 4.4% of those recalls, or 0.5% overall, conclude with a cancer diagnosis.

The study found that the probability of receiving at least one false positive recall over a 10-year period was slightly lower with 3D than 2D digital mammography. The decrease in false positives with 3D vs. 2D mammography was greatest for women with non-dense breasts and those who had annual screenings.

The researchers estimated that over 10 years of annual tomosynthesis screening, 50% of women will experience at least one false positive recall, 17% a false positive short-interval follow-up recommendation, and 11% a false positive biopsy recommendation. This is compared to 56% of women screened with 2D digital mammograms having a false positive recall, 18% a short-interval follow-up recommendation, and 12% a biopsy recommendation.

"We were surprised that the newer 3D technology in breast cancer screening does not substantially reduce the risk of having a false positive result after 10 years of screening," said Ho.

[ConservativeMind]

Don’t get too uptight over a “positive” finding, and realize even the followup “positives” are a problem

This doesn’t mean to not get checked, though.

For those women with denser breasts, there are studies that show dietary changes and supplements can reduce density.

[Trillian]

I had an ultrasound of the lymph nodes in my neck several months ago. One of the first questions they asked me, was did I get any covid shots or boosters. They are affecting everything.

[DesertRhino]

“This doesn’t mean to not get checked, though.”

Oh that’s exactly what this means. This is the first shot. The next thing coming is that since they aren’t THAT reliable anyway, maybe we are wasting “our” healthcare money on them and insurance should stop paying for them.
They have already made this attack against PAP tests and PSA tests for men.

Welcome to British NHS.

[MarMema]

Supplements are?

[HighSierra5]

What about false positive orgasms?

[Vermont Lt]

So…you go back and get another one.

Beats blowing it off and coming up with Stage 4 cancer three years later.

[ConservativeMind]

This appears to be a reasonable write up, with linked studies:

How to Decrease Breast Density to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

http://mammalivefoundation.org/decrease-breast-density-reduce-breast-cancer-risk/

There is also a possible benefit from iodine:

Changes in Dietary Iodine Explains Increasing Incidence of Breast Cancer with Distant Involvement in Young Women

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5327366/

If taking iodine in larger amounts, do make sure you get selenium to take along with it.

[ConservativeMind]

Well, the next one will mostly look the same.

In this case, it likely requires a biopsy to truly know, but since only 0.5% of women get truly positive breast cancer, no one should lose much sleep over the initial “positive.”

[StolarStorm]

Thanks for posting this. My wife just got told to get a biopsy today! Hoping it’s a false positive, but even then it’s small (3 mm) - whatever it is.

[MarMema]

Well no. Then they want a needle biopsy. No thanks.

[MarMema]

Thank you!!

[Scrambler Bob]

I have been told about these mammograms by my wife.

All I can say is that I am really glad there is not a testicalogram procedure.

[Vermont Lt]

My sister died of breast cancer last fall. Trust me…when it spreads to the brain, bones, and spine…a needle biopsy is a piece of cake.

But, if you want the particulars of the lady three weeks of her life, PM me. But I doubt you need THAT much convincing.

[Vermont Lt]

See my 13.

Same offer applies.

Your .5% number is ridiculous.

[Dacula]

Mind telling that to my deceased wife who died from BC?

[ConservativeMind]

If 50% of all women get a false positive over ten years, and only 0.5% actually get breast cancer if any sort, yes, I would gladly tell both your wife and all women I know that the greatest likelihood is that you don’t have actual cancer from a single positive result.

What’s your problem with that. Do you love having one out of every two women dreading death, needlessly? What kind of man are you?

[ConservativeMind]

My 0.5% number is what medical records show and what this study points out.