Intermediate mammograms increase the false-positive rate except in specific groups

Intermediate mammograms (IM) in breast screening offer potential benefits but also disadvantages, like false positives (FP) results. Although annual screening has not been shown to reduce more the mortality than biennial screening, some studies have reported an increased detection rate, detection of smaller tumours and a reduction in interval cancers. On the other hand, in the whole IMs increase the rate of FP. However in the case of younger women undergoing their initial screen and those with risk factors (previous invasive procedures, a family history of breast cancer or hormone replacement therapy use) the risk of a FP result is significantly lower. In order to guarantee the quality of screening programmes, a better characterization of the IM indications should be done, according to the presence of those maximising benefits and minimising adverse effects

Bibliographic Reference:

Ascunce N et al.: "Impact of intermediate mammography assessment on the likelihood of false-positive results in breast cancer screening programmes", Eur Radiol. 2011 Sep 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Navarra Breast Cancer Screening Programme, Public Health Institute, Pamplona, Spain