False Alarms, False Positives, and a New Solution

Thomas G. Dehn, MD, FACR, Chief Medical Officer, NIA

Since the release of new screening mammography guidelines by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), there has been significant media attention, conflicting opinions and controversy surrounding the issue.

Most of this debate has focused on the legitimacy of the recommendations and the fact that these recommendations are based upon projections of the cost and benefit related to screenings across multiple populations.

This issue clearly carries implications on both patient health and economics, and there is little question that we need to address the alarmingly high false positive rates, especially among the 40- and 49-year-old population.

However, rather than debating the merits of the proposed solution, we must address the larger, more significant question: How can we reduce the incidence of false positive results in a mammography screening program?

This is especially significant when you consider that as many as 26% of rendering providers have an indeterminate rate of greater than 15% in their screening mammograms - far exceeding the national average.

This discussion paper explores the issue in greater detail, provides statistical evidence to support the need for an alternate solution, and presents a viable solution that would address the cost/benefit conundrum without compromising access to care...

To learn more, download your copy of The Missing Piece of the Mammography Puzzle (PDF).