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. 2018 Apr;27(4):446-453.
doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-17-0009. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

Factors Associated with False Positive Results on Screening Mammography in a Population of Predominantly Hispanic Women

Julia E McGuinness #  1 , William Ueng #  2 , Meghna S Trivedi  1   3 , Hae Seung Yi  4 , Raven David  5 , Alejandro Vanegas  1   3 , Jennifer Vargas  1   3 , Rossy Sandoval  3 , Rita Kukafka  5   6 , Katherine D Crew  7   2   3
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Factors Associated with False Positive Results on Screening Mammography in a Population of Predominantly Hispanic Women

Julia E McGuinness et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Potential harms of screening mammography include false positive results, such as recall breast imaging or biopsies.Methods: We recruited women undergoing screening mammography at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, New York. They completed a questionnaire on breast cancer risk factors and permitted access to their medical records. Breast cancer risk status was determined using the Gail model and a family history screener. High risk was defined as a 5-year invasive breast cancer risk of ≥1.67% or eligible for BRCA genetic testing. False positive results were defined as recall breast imaging (BIRADS score of 0, 3, 4, or 5) and/or biopsies that did not yield breast cancer.Results: From November 2014 to October 2015, 2,361 women were enrolled and 2,019 were evaluable, of whom 76% were Hispanic and 10% non-Hispanic white. Fewer Hispanic women met high-risk criteria for breast cancer than non-Hispanic whites (18.0% vs. 68.1%), but Hispanics more frequently engaged in annual screening (71.9% vs. 60.8%). Higher breast density (heterogeneously/extremely dense vs. mostly fat/scattered fibroglandular densities) and more frequent screening (annual vs. biennial) were significantly associated with false positive results [odds ratio (OR), 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-2.04 and OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.70-2.80, respectively].Conclusions: We observed that women who screened more frequently or had higher breast density were at greater risk for false positive results. In addition, Hispanic women were screening more frequently despite having a lower risk of breast cancer compared with whites.Impact: Our results highlight the need for risk-stratified screening to potentially minimize the harms of screening mammography. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(4); 446-53. ©2018 AACR.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Diagram of Women Recruited to Know Your Risk: Assessment at Screening (KYRAS) study (November 2014–October 2015)
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