|
 A
recent study reported obese women are 20 percent more likely to
be inaccurately diagnosed with false-positive mammograms, in comparison
to lighter women. Researchers came up with the findings after reviewing
more than 100,000 mammograms performed on women older than 40.
The thicker volume of breast tissue squeezed into the mammogram
machine along with the additional images and time needed to scan
and review X-rays contribute to poor image clarity that generate
the larger number of false-positives.
Researchers say these miscalculations result in higher costs and
higher anxiety among women. Their solution: Losing weight could
improve test results. Even though the risk of false-positives is
real, the study recommends obese patients, whether they lose weight
or not, still have regular mammogram screenings.
Archives
of Internal Medicine May 24, 2004;164(10):1140-7
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