This issue isn't about false positives, it is about subjecting patients to treatment after mammography finds a small lesion, but when in all actuality that spot on the scan poses no real threat to the patient. Some cancers are never progressive and do not require serious treatment when to do so would come with its own risks and potential complications. This theory is suggested in studies, but hard numbers specifically for cases of breast cancer are not there.

As an alternative to mammagraphy, molecular imaging modalities such as SPECT, PET, breast-specific molecular imaging and even molecular MRI could be a better choice down the road because it provides information about the function of these tumors in question.