Breast Cancer Risk for Women with False Positive Screening Tests
Author Information
Author(s): P.H.M. Peeters, M. Mravunac, J.H.C.L. Hendriks, A.L.M. Verbeek, R. Holland, P.G. Vooijs
Primary Institution: Nijmegen University
Hypothesis
Is a false positive screening test result a risk factor for developing breast cancer?
Conclusion
Women with a false positive screening test result do not have a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with true negative results.
Supporting Evidence
- The incidence rate for women with a false positive test result was 0.56 per 1,000 months.
- The reference group had an incidence rate of 0.20 per 1,000 months.
- 63% of women with a false positive result developed breast cancer within 2 years.
Takeaway
If a woman gets a false alarm on a breast cancer test, it doesn't mean she's more likely to get breast cancer later.
Methodology
A cohort study was conducted comparing women with false positive results to a reference group of women with true negative results.
Potential Biases
Some women in the reference group may have had undiagnosed cancer at the time of screening.
Limitations
The follow-up time may have been too short to detect any increased risk.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was around 54 years, with a follow-up time of approximately 5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0006
Statistical Significance
p=0.0006
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website