False-positive mammography and depressed mood in a screening population: findings from the New Hampshire Mammography Network

Background False positives occur in approximately 11% of screening mammographies in the USA and may be associated with psychologic sequelae. Methods We sought to examine the association of false-positive mammography with depressed mood among women in a screening population. Using data from a state-based mammography registry, women who completed a standardized questionnaire between 7 May 2001 and 2 June 2003, a follow-up questionnaire between 19 June 2003 and 8 October 2004 and who received at least one screening mammogram during this interval were identified. False positives were examined in relation to depressed mood. Results Eligibility criteria were met by 13 491 women with a median age of 63.9 (SD = 9.6). In the study population, 2107 (15.62%) experienced at least one false positive mammogram and 450 (3.34%) met criteria for depressed mood. Depressed mood was not significantly associated with false positives in the overall population [OR = 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72–1.28], but this association was seen among Non-White women (OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 1.32–7.91). Conclusion Depressed mood may differentially affect some populations as a harm associated with screening mammography.