A MOTHER’S MISSION – Rebekah Lockard of Colorado is frantic to save the clinical trial that could cure her daughter’s rare disease — and it’s largely up to her to raise the funds. Continue reading…

‘PERSONAL CHOICE’ – Here’s why more Americans have a growing distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to doctors. Continue reading…

COMMITTED TO A CURE – A Canadian father created a drug to save his son from a rare disease — and now other families are desperate to get the treatment. Continue reading…

Terry Pirovolakis, pictured with his family, used his life savings to create a genetic therapy for his youngest son, center, who has a rare disease called SPG50. (Terry Pirovolakis)

THRIVING WITH ANXIETY – An expert offers her tips on embracing the mental health condition and using it to one’s advantage. Continue reading…

DANGEROUS COMPLICATION – Sepsis is now the third-deadliest condition in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer. Experts share symptoms, treatments and prevention tips. Continue reading…

‘RARE BUT SERIOUS’ – As a New Hampshire man fights for his life, experts share warnings about Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease. Continue reading…

A rare, potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease has sparked concern, and led to some lockdowns, in the Northeastern U.S. (iStock)

MATTERS OF THE HEART – A single blood test could predict women’s heart attack risk up to 30 years in advance, researchers say. Continue reading…

‘SLOTH FEVER’ – The CDC issued an alert about cases of Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever, in travelers returning from Cuba. Here’s what to know. Continue reading…

SEASONAL WELLNESS – These 7 health products can help you breathe easier, avoid allergies and support your immune system. Continue reading…

WEEKEND CATCH-UPS – Sleeping longer on weekends could lower heart disease risk by 20%, a new study finds. Sleep experts discuss the potential benefits. Continue reading…

Those who caught up on the most sleep over the weekends were found to have a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease. (iStock)

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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.”

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“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.

“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.

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.” 

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“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.”