Intermediate mammograms conducted between regular screening mammograms can increase the overall false positive rate, except in specific groups. While intermediate mammograms may detect cancers earlier, for most women they increase false positives. However, for younger women undergoing initial screening and those with risk factors, the risk of a false positive result from intermediate mammograms is significantly lower. Screening programs should better characterize appropriate indications for intermediate mammograms to maximize their benefits while minimizing adverse effects like unnecessary additional testing from false positives.

1. Editoriale http://www.senology.org/Edit_Elizaga.htm
Intermediate mammograms increase the false-positive rate except in specific
groups
Intermediate mammograms (IM) in breast screening offer potential benefits but also
disadvantages, like false positives (FP) results. Although annual screening has not been
shown to reduce more the mortality than biennial screening, some studies have reported
an increased detection rate, detection of smaller tumours and a reduction in interval
cancers. On the other hand, in the whole IMs increase the rate of FP. However in the case
of younger women undergoing their initial screen and those with risk factors (previous
invasive procedures, a family history of breast cancer or hormone replacement therapy
use) the risk of a FP result is significantly lower. In order to guarantee the quality of
screening programmes, a better characterization of the IM indications should be done,
according to the presence of those maximising benefits and minimising adverse effects
Bibliographic Reference:
Ascunce N et al.: "Impact of intermediate mammography assessment on the likelihood of
false-positive results in breast cancer screening programmes", Eur Radiol. 2011 Sep 8.
[Epub ahead of print]
Nieves Ascunce Elizaga
Navarra Breast Cancer Screening Programme, Public Health Institute, Pamplona, Spain
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