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Mammograms Have Risk of False Positives

A new study suggests that mammograms have a high risk of false positive results. The news came at a particularly bad time, during breast cancer week, which seeks to raise awareness for the need to undergo mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

The study looked at nearly 170,000 women between the ages of 40- 59 from seven different regions around the United States. It will be published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study was led by the Group Health Research Institute of Seattle for the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. It included around 4,500 women with invasive breast cancer.

The study was co-authored by Karla Kerlikowske, a professor of medicine at UCSF School of Medicine, who said, “This study provides accurate estimates of the risk of a false-positive mammography and breast biopsy for women undergoing repeat mammography in community practice, and so provides important information about the potential harms of undergoing regular mammography.”

The study also found that women who get annual screenings earlier are more likely to get false positive results over their lifetime. While they would simply go back for a second test, it could cause undue stress and worry and expose the patients to x-rays and procedures that were not necessary. Doctors argue that regular screening is unnecessary, with the procedure itself being mechanically aggressive for the breast tissue, and that the radiation levels can be harmful to women, even affecting DNA.

According to Rebecca Hubbard, PhD, an assistant investigator at the Group Health Research, “We conducted this study to help women know what to expect when they get regular screening mammograms over the course of many years…we hope that if women know what to expect with screening, they’ll feel less anxiety if or when they are called back for more testing. In the vast majority of cases, it does not mean they have cancer.”

This health news summary is brought to you by InsuranceChaser.com. We provide several types of Ohio health insurance to individuals, families and groups throughout the state. If you are shopping or have questions regarding Ohio health insurance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our agents will provide unbiased advice regarding your health care, and even free insurance quotes.