False-positives increase follow-up screening participation
Patients who receive a false-positive breast or prostate cancer screening are more likely to continually participate in follow-up screenings, according to a study published April 23 in Cancer.
Researchers, led by Glen Taksler, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic, obtained 10 year's worth of electronic medical record data belonging to 92,405 individuals between 50 and 75 years old.
Taksler and his colleagues then analyzed the data to identify relationships between false-positive cancer screenings and future participation in routine cancer screenings, according to a Wiley newsroom press release.
Study findings included the following:
- Women with a false-positive mammogram were at least 43 percent more likely to obtain future breast cancer screenings
- The same women were at least 25 percent more likely to obtain future colorectal cancer screenings.
- Men with a false-positive prostate cancer screening were at least 22 percent more likely to obtain future colorectal cancer screenings.
- Results were stronger for individuals with a greater number of false-positive results.
- Women with previous false-positive fecal occult blood testing were less likely to be up-to-date with breast cancer screening.
According to the press release, Taksler explained that their findings conflict with other false-positive cancer screening studies, suggesting for more research and improvement in cancer screening technology.
“We don’t know why the observed pattern occurred,” said Taksler, in a prepared statement. “False-positives are a limitation of the technology that we use to check for cancer. Hopefully, over time, the technology will improve so that patients don’t have to deal with as many false-positives.”
A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.