Title | Influence of false-positive mammography results on subsequent screening: do physician recommendations buffer negative effects? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Defrank, JT, Rimer, BK, Bowling, MJ, Earp, JA, Breslau, ES, Brewer, NT |
Journal | Journal of medical screening |
Volume | 19 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 35-41 |
Date Published | 2012 |
ISSN | 1475-5793 |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Cancer screening guidelines often include discussion about the unintended negative consequences of routine screening. This prospective study examined effects of false-positive mammography results on women's adherence to subsequent breast cancer screening and psychological well-being. We also assessed whether barriers to screening exacerbated the effects of false-positive results. METHODS: We conducted secondary analyses of data from telephone interviews and medical claims records for 2406 insured women. The primary outcome was adherence to screening guidelines, defined as adherent (10-14 months), delayed (15-34 months), or no subsequent mammogram on record. RESULTS: About 8% of women reported that their most recent screening mammograms produced false-positive results. In the absence of self-reported advice from their physicians to be screened, women were more likely to have no subsequent mammograms on record if they received false-positive results than if they received normal results (18% vs. 7%, OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.30, 7.70). Receipt of false-positive results was not associated with this outcome for women who said their physicians had advised regular screening in the past year (7% vs. 10%, OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.38, 1.45). False-positive results were associated with greater breast cancer worry (P < .01), thinking more about the benefits of screening (P < .001), and belief that abnormal test results do not mean women have cancer (P < .01), regardless of physicians' screening recommendations. CONCLUSION: False-positive mammography results, coupled with reports that women's physicians did not advise regular screening, could lead to non-adherence to future screening. Abnormal mammograms that do not result in cancer diagnoses are opportunities for physicians to stress the importance of regular screening. |
DOI | 10.1258/jms.2012.011123 |
Alternate Journal | J Med Screen |
PubMed ID | 22438505 |