Long-term psychosocial consequences of false-positive screening mammography: a cohort study with follow-up of 12–14 years in Denmark

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the long-term psychosocial consequences of mammography screening among women with breast cancer, normal results and false-positive results.DesignA matched cohort study with follow-up of 12–14 years.SettingDenmark from 2004 to 2019.Participants1170 women who participated in the Danish mammography screening programme in 2004–2005.InterventionMammography screening for women aged 50–69 years.Outcome measuresWe assessed the psychosocial consequences with the Consequences Of Screening–Breast Cancer, a condition-specific questionnaire that is psychometrically validated and encompasses 14 psychosocial dimensions.ResultsAcross all 14 psychosocial outcomes, women with false-positive results averagely reported higher psychosocial consequences compared with women with normal findings. Mean differences were statistically insignificant except for the existential values scale: 0.61 (95% CI (0.15 to 1.06), p=0.009). Additionally, women with false-positive results and women diagnosed with breast cancer were affected in a dose–response manner, where women diagnosed with breast cancer were more affected than women with false-positive results.ConclusionOur study suggests that a false-positive mammogram is associated with increased psychosocial consequences 12–14 years after the screening. This study adds to the harms of mammography screening. The findings should be used to inform decision-making among the invited women and political and governmental decisions about mammography screening programmes.