High rates of false positive test results may be keeping women from sticking to recommended mammogram screenings for breast cancer, a new study has found.

Researchers from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California, reviewed more than 3.5 million screening mammograms performed among more than one million women between 2005 and 2017.

Women who received a true-negative result were more likely to return for future screenings, with a 77% compliance rate.

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By comparison, among those who received a false positive, only 61% returned for another mammogram in six months, and 67% returned for a recommended biopsy. (A false positive occurs when a mammogram shows an abnormal result that is investigated further, but does not lead to a cancer diagnosis.)

The women, who ranged in age from 40 to 73, had not previously received a breast cancer diagnosis.

The study findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Sept. 3.

Surprising findings

“We found that women were less likely to return for another screening mammogram if they were recalled for additional imaging that did not result in a cancer diagnosis, especially if that recall resulted in a recommendation for a short-interval follow-up or biopsy or if they experienced false-positive exams on two consecutive screening mammograms,” lead study author Dr. Diana Miglioretti, a professor and division chief of biostatistics in the UC Davis School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences, told Fox News Digital.

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Miglioretti said she was surprised by the findings, as surveys have suggested that women believe they would be just as likely to continue screening even after a false-positive result.

“However, something about the experience seems to influence their actual behavior, and despite their intentions to return, some do not,” she added.

A false positive occurs when a mammogram shows an abnormal result that is investigated further, but does not lead to a cancer diagnosis. (iStock)

Another surprising element, Miglioretti said, was that a false-positive recommendation for a short-interval follow-up — meaning the patient needs to return in six months for diagnostic imaging to evaluate changes in the abnormal finding — had the greatest impact on a woman’s likelihood of not returning for future screenings.

“I initially expected that the probability of returning would be lowest for those who had undergone a benign biopsy,” she said. 

“Approximately 10% of screening mammograms require diagnostic work-up, and most women called back for further imaging do not have breast cancer.”

“However, even after following women for five years after a false-positive result, women who received a short-interval follow-up recommendation were the least likely to return for future screening mammograms.”

Asian and Hispanic/Latinx women were least likely to return for future screenings after a false positive.

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“This is extremely concerning, as recent trends have conveyed a much faster rate of growth in breast cancer rates in this demographic than in other ethnic and racial groups,” Dr. Tingting Tan, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope Newport Beach in California, told Fox News Digital.

(Tan was not involved in the study.)

“There is a 52% rise in breast cancer rates in the last two decades among Asian-American and Pacific Islander women under the age of 50.”

What to know about false positives

A false positive occurs when a mammogram shows an abnormal result that is investigated further, but does not lead to a cancer diagnosis.

“Following the mammogram, the results will either come back as clear (known as a true negative) or will be flagged for additional testing,” Tan said.

Some common causes of false positives include dense breast tissue, small calcium deposits in the breast, overlapping breast tissue that creates shadows or normal variations in breast tissue. (iStock)

Some common causes of false positives, according to UC Davis, include dense breast tissue, small calcium deposits in the breast, overlapping breast tissue that creates shadows, or normal variations in breast tissue.

False-positive results occur in 10% to 12% of mammograms for women between 40 and 49 years of age, UC Davis noted.

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Within a decade of annual screenings, up to 60% of women experience at least one false positive result.

As a breast cancer specialist, Tan said she often hears the term “scanxiety” to describe the fear that is associated with imaging. 

“Even a slight possibility of being diagnosed with cancer can be debilitating, and we understand that the follow-up check-ups after an abnormal mammogram can take an emotional toll,” she said.

“If women have concerns about their false-positive result or are unclear of what it means, they should talk with their doctor,” an expert advised. (iStock)

“While it can be distressing to not have a true negative from that initial mammogram, patients should not worry if their doctor orders a breast ultrasound following a mammogram, as it is a very common procedure.”

Asking questions and having open communication with health care providers can help to ease stress and anxiety when there is follow-up to an abnormal screening, Tan added.

Importance of continued screenings

Based on these findings, the researchers emphasized that women who receive false-positive results should continue screening every one to two years.

“A false positive — particularly if it leads to a diagnosis of benign breast disease — is associated with a small increase in developing breast cancer in the future,” Miglioretti said.

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“If women have concerns about their false-positive result or are unclear of what it means, they should talk with their doctor.”

Women should also be aware that a screening test often requires further diagnostic evaluation to confirm that a finding is normal, the doctor added.

“A false positive — particularly if it leads to a diagnosis of benign breast disease — is associated with a small increase in developing breast cancer in the future.”

“This is a standard part of the screening process,” Miglioretti told Fox News Digital.

“Approximately 10% of screening mammograms require diagnostic work-up, and most women called back for further imaging do not have breast cancer.”

Tan emphasized the importance of mammograms as the “gold standard” for breast screening.

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“Mammograms can catch cancer at early stages, before symptoms,” she told Fox News Digital.

“They are proven to decrease mortality, which is why almost every patient will begin with a screening mammogram.”

Potential limitations of the study

The researchers only evaluated false positives on the two prior screening mammograms for each woman, the researchers noted.

“Cancer is highly complex, and it is essential to see a radiologist who specializes in reading mammograms,” an expert advised. (iStock)

“Women could have had false-positive mammograms prior to that,” Miglioretti noted.

The study was also limited to 177 facilities participating in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC), which means some women could have received care at non-BCSC facilities.

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“Cancer is highly complex, and it is essential to see a radiologist who specializes in reading mammograms,” Tan advised.

“Early detection is key for better outcomes, which is why it is so important to know your breast cancer risk and to get your regular screenings.”

“Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson, 62, is sharing her recent health scare after she was hospitalized with sepsis, a potentially deadly disease that results from the body’s response to an infection.

“This entire health scare came unannounced — with no warning,” Gunvalson told Fox News Digital.

As Sepsis Awareness Month kicks off this September, Gunvalson’s timely story is helping to raise awareness of the illness.

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“Sepsis awareness can and does save lives, yet only 65% of American adults have ever heard of it,” Selena A. Gilles, clinical professor and associate dean at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, told Fox News Digital.  

Gilles is on the advisory board of the Sepsis Alliance, a California-based organization that works across the country to decrease suffering from sepsis. 

“Prompt recognition and treatment can be of great importance in preventing significant illness and even mortality,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

Gunvalson’s diagnosis

Gunvalson shared the details of her sepsis diagnosis with Fox News Digital.

“Two weeks ago, when I was heading to my office, I was very delirious and unclear on where I was going,” Gunvalson said via email.

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“Once I got into the office, my staff realized I was not acting normal,” she went on. “My assistant thought that I was possibly having a stroke.”

The emergency room diagnosed Gunvalson with a “sinus disease” and sent her home, but by the next morning, she was “extremely incoherent” — so her boyfriend took her back to the hospital.

“Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson, 62, is sharing her recent health scare after she was hospitalized with sepsis, a potentially deadly disease that results from the body’s response to an infection. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

“I was admitted for six days with sepsis and pneumonia,” she said. 

Gunvalson was treated with a course of antibiotics and is now recovering at home, while staying in regular contact with the sepsis team at the hospital. 

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The reality TV star has experienced some memory loss and difficulty concentrating, but said she hopes the “brain fog” will improve over time.

In retrospect, the sepsis may have stemmed from a sinus infection two months ago that was treated by multiple rounds of antibiotics, Gunvalson said.

Symptoms and dangers

Common symptoms of sepsis include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, confusion, shortness of breath, extreme pain, and clammy or sweaty skin, according to Gilles.

A high fever – especially in those who are at increased risk of infection and are feeling extremely unwell – should warrant seeking medical attention as soon as possible, Glatt added.

“Sepsis awareness can and does save lives, yet only 65% of American adults have ever heard of it.” 

“Fatigue and lethargy in the setting of infection can be a sign of pneumonia and potential sepsis, even without overt pulmonary symptoms,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News’ senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital. 

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As sepsis can start within hours, Gilles suggested following the acronym “TIME” to remember that time is of the essence when it comes to seeking treatment.

T – Temperature (higher or lower than normal)

I – Infection (know the signs and symptoms)

M – Mental decline (confusion, sleepiness and difficulty awakening)

E – Extremely ill (severe pain, discomfort and shortness of breath)

Approximately 1.7 million adults are diagnosed with sepsis every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Approximately 1.7 million adults are diagnosed with sepsis every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)

The illness kills 350,000 American adults each year and is a leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, Gilles noted. 

It is the third-leading killer behind heart disease, which takes just over 700,000 lives each year, and cancer, which causes more than 600,000 annual deaths, per CDC data.

“Sepsis takes a life every 90 seconds — that’s more lives than opioids, breast cancer, prostate cancer and stroke combined,” she said.

Common myths about sepsis

Many people mistakenly assume that sepsis is an infection.

“Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death,” Gilles said. 

The condition can come after any infection — whether just a scrape or cut, a dental procedure or surgery, or even a [bacteria], fungus or parasite — triggers a “chain reaction” in the body, the doctor added.

Treatment of sepsis will vary based on the underlying infection, but it often involves administering antibiotics as soon as possible. (iStock)

Another common myth is that sepsis only occurs in those who are (or were recently) hospitalized.

Most cases of sepsis, around 87%, start before a patient enters the hospital, Gilles said.

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“Community-acquired infections, such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and even simple cuts or scrapes can lead to sepsis if not treated properly,” Gilles noted.

Many people also think sepsis only affects immunocompromised people.

Older adults, infants and those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of sepsis. (iStock)

“Sepsis can strike almost anyone at almost any time,” Glatt said.

“While certain individuals are at higher risk of getting a severe infection that can even be deadly, serious infections can strike even a perfectly healthy young person with rare but potentially fatal consequences,” he went on.

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Older adults, infants and those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk, however.

Treatment and prevention

The first step is discovering the underlying cause of the infection, according to the CDC.

Sepsis often starts in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin or urinary tract.

“Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death,” a doctor said.  (iStock)

Treatment will vary based on the underlying infection, but often involves administering antibiotics as soon as possible.

“While antibiotics are crucial for treating an underlying bacterial infection, managing sepsis often requires a comprehensive approach — including fluids, medications to support blood pressure, and sometimes surgery or [a ventilator], depending on the severity,” said Gilles.

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Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove tissue damaged by the infection, the CDC states.

It’s also important to maintain blood flow to the organs, often with fluids.

“Sepsis can strike almost anyone at almost any time.” 

“If you suspect sepsis, seek medical attention right away,” Gilles advised.

The risk can be reduced by quickly identifying and managing infections, according to the doctor.

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Added Gilles, “It can also be prevented by practicing good hygiene, staying current with vaccinations, staying in good health, keeping cuts clean and dry, and promptly seeking treatment when infections are suspected.”

A rare, potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease has sparked concern in the Northeastern U.S.

Last week, a man from Hampstead, New Hampshire, died after testing positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

The man “was hospitalized due to severe central nervous system disease, and has passed away due to [the] illness,” according to a statement from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

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Another New Hampshire man, Joe Casey, is currently in the ICU on a ventilator after contracting three mosquito-borne illnesses, including EEE, according to local reports.

In late August, four Massachusetts towns — Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster — set a voluntary evening lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

That decision came after the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2020 in Worcester County, affecting an elderly man in Oxford.

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As of Aug. 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported four total cases of the virus in 2024, although that data is subject to change.

There were seven cases reported in 2023, one case in 2022, five in 2021 and 13 in 2020.

The year 2019 saw a spike, with 38 cases reported.

What is Eastern equine encephalitis?

Eastern equine encephalitis is caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the CDC, which describes EEE as a “rare but serious disease.”

Only a few cases are reported in the U.S. each year, most in the Eastern or Gulf Coast states.

In late August, four Massachusetts towns — Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster — set a voluntary evening lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. (iStock)

Humans and other animals that contract the virus are considered “dead-end hosts,” the CDC states, which means they can’t spread it to mosquitoes that bite them.

“While EEE is widespread in the Western Hemisphere, it normally affects animals such as large mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and rarely causes clinical infection in human beings,” Dr. Eyal Leshem, director of the Center for Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, told Fox News Digital.

What’s causing the uptick?

While EEE was previously “very uncommon” in the U.S., there is the potential for these types of viruses to become more prevalent across the country, according to Dr. Edward Liu, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

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“As warm seasons get longer, mosquitoes have more time to breed,” Liu told Fox News Digital. 

“If heavy rains cause standing pools of water, that will create an environment for larger mosquito populations.”

The CDC recommends using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and treating clothing and gear with permethrin, which is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, confirmed that the virus has been “exceedingly rare, though “frequently disabling (neurologically) and deadly.”

He also told Fox News Digital, “I don’t think it will become a problem, as it is very rare, with just a few cases per year, but the fear of it is spreading.”

Symptoms of the virus

Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness, per the CDC.

These usually appear five to 10 days after being bitten.

The disease can be deadly, resulting in fatalities for 30% of infected people.

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“Sometimes patients exhibit a change in mental status or other neurological symptoms, which are linked to inflammation in their meninges (membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord) or their brains,” said Leshem. 

“There is no specific drug or antiviral that has proven effective in treating EEE.”

Older people and those who are immunocompromised are at the highest risk for mosquito-borne encephalitis.

Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness. (iStock)

The disease is also more dangerous if it occurs in tandem with other viral infections that cause encephalitis, according to Liu.

“We know ticks can carry more than one pathogen, so it would be concerning if mosquitoes carry more than one pathogen,” he said.

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The only treatment for EEE is supportive care to manage symptoms.

“There is no specific drug or antiviral that has proven effective in treating EEE,” Leshem said. 

There is also no vaccine available for Eastern equine encephalitis. 

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“Testing for encephalitis is still not very available outside of hospitals, and sometimes not accurate,” Liu warned.  

“It would not be surprising if its testing confused two similar viruses, as the antibody testing we use is not always accurate.”

Preventing infection

Protecting against mosquito bites is the best way to prevent infection, experts agree.

“We need to make sure that mosquito control programs stay strong,” said Liu.  

Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes, experts say. Eliminating standing water is one way to prevent breeding. (iStock)

“We cannot rely on each homeowner to pay for mosquito control services. In New Jersey, mosquito control is county-based and therefore at the mercy of the county budget.”

“Testing for encephalitis is still not very available outside of hospitals, and sometimes not accurate.”

The CDC recommends using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and treating clothing and gear with permethrin, which is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.

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Taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors can also help prevent infection, the agency states on its website.

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Some recommended strategies include using screens on windows and doors, using air conditioning when possible, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs.

Up to 5% of people who have surgery can develop an infection — which can prolong healing and lead to dangerous complications, studies have shown. 

Additionally, chronic wounds affect around 6.5 million patients in the U.S.

Some bacteria can’t be seen with the human eye, which means they may be missed by physicians when cleaning a wound. 

Now, a new medical technology that uses fluorescent light has shown to be effective in detecting missed bacteria, according to new research led by University of Southern California, Los Angeles (USC).

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In a review of 26 medical studies, a handheld device using autofluorescence (AF) imaging successfully “lit up” bacteria in nine out of 10 wounds, with each different type of bacteria turning a different color, according to a press release from USC.

The findings were published recently in the medical journal Advances in Wound Care.

Real-time detection

In traditional cases, surgeons take tissue samples from wounds and send them to a lab for testing to determine the types of bacteria that are present, the researchers noted.

It can take days to get the results, during which time infection can set in.

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“Bacteria can cause wounds to become infected when they enter and colonize the cut or wound,” Dr. Raj Dasgupta, pulmonary and critical care specialist at Huntington Health in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital. 

“If a person does not receive treatment for a wound infection, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, which may lead to serious complications.” (Dasgupta was not involved in the new study.)

In a review of 26 medical studies, a handheld device using autofluorescence imaging successfully “lit up” bacteria in nine out of 10 wounds. (iStock)

The lighting technology allows clinicians to see bacteria in real time, leading to more targeted and effective wound care, according to the study researchers.

“Fluorescence imaging, particularly with devices like MolecuLight, offers a significant advancement in the ability to detect bacterial loads in chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers,” lead study author Dr. David G. Armstrong, professor of neurological surgery and director of the ​U​SC Limb Preservation Program, told Fox News Digital.

“If a person does not receive treatment for a wound infection, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, which may lead to serious complications.”

It could also help prevent the need for antibiotics, as the bacteria can be removed before infection occurs.

“The study also explores the potential of wearable fluorescence imaging devices, which could further revolutionize surgical debridement by providing continuous visualization during the procedure,” Armstrong added.

The lighting technology allows clinicians to see bacteria in real time, leading to more targeted and effective wound care, according to the study researchers. (iStock)

One of the most surprising discoveries in the study was that high amounts of bacteria didn’t always cause symptoms, but still slowed down the healing process, the researchers stated.

This highlighted the need for “more sophisticated diagnostic tools” in wound management.

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“The big idea here is that we might be able to get out in front of an infection before having to give someone antibiotics,” said Armstrong. “This is the ultimate kind of stewardship to promote superbugs.”

Based on this study, Armstrong recommends that clinicians consider integrating fluorescence imaging into their standard wound care protocols, especially for chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. 

“The big idea here is that we might be able to get out in front of an infection before having to give someone antibiotics.”

“This technology not only improves the accuracy of debridement, but also aids in early intervention, potentially reducing the risk of complications like infections and amputations,” he told Fox News Digital. 

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“We also recommend that health care providers stay informed about advancements in wearable imaging technologies, which may soon provide even greater flexibility and precision in wound care.”

Fluorescence may not replace lab testing, surgeon says

Dr. Patrick Davis, a facial plastic surgeon at Davis Facial Plastics in Beverly Hills, California, emphasized the importance of preventing bacterial infections — especially for revision rhinoplasties, which he said have a higher risk of this type of complication.

“This technology not only improves the accuracy of debridement, but also aids in early intervention, potentially reducing the risk of complications like infections and amputations,” a researcher said. (iStock)

“There has been modest research with the use of fluorescence to illuminate a particular wound bed,” Davis, who was not involved in the new study, told Fox News Digital. 

“The idea is that certain bacteria will emit a certain wavelength of light. Staph infections, for example, would emit a different color than another type of bacteria.”

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This can be helpful in confirming what kind of antibiotic to use for treatment, Davis noted, while also telling the surgeon the “burden of bacteria,” which indicates the level of bacteria in the wound.

The use of this technology still needs more research, according to the surgeon.

The technology could help prevent the need for antibiotics, as the bacteria can be removed before infection occurs. (iStock)

“At this time, this technology would not replace a simple swab of the area and then a laboratory test determining exactly what type of bacteria is present and what antibiotic to use,” he said.

“However, this technology can give a real-time hint at the family of bacteria that is present, although it may not be so specific — that is still reserved for a laboratory to determine.”

Dasgupta agreed that this device could be a “safe, effective, accurate and easy-to-use tool” to improve the assessment of wounds, but he noted that fluorescent light imaging has some limitations when used to detect bacterial infections.

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“The evaluation is limited to bacteria that produce fluorescent molecules on the skin’s surface and subsurface,” Dasgupta told Fox News Digital.

“The detection ability is also dependent on the number of bacteria present in the wound,” he went on. “Also, wound depth cannot be captured with this type of evaluation.”

Study limitations

The primary limitation of this study is that it depended on “controlled lighting conditions” in order for the fluorescence imaging devices to function accurately, Armstrong noted.

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“This could be a challenge in certain clinical settings, particularly in real-time surgical environments,” he said.

Chronic wounds affect around 6.5 million patients in the U.S.

More research is also needed to confirm the effectiveness of wearable devices compared to the existing handheld devices.

The study is partially funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the National Science Foundation’s Center to Stream Healthcare in Place.