Alarming rate of false positives plagues lung cancer
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 74-year-old female who smoked a pack a day for 40-plus years, having quit smoking about 18 years ago. As a precaution, I asked my primary doctor to order a screening CT scan, knowing that I’m a candidate for lung cancer. The results showed a 3-mm nodule in one lung, and I was advised not to worry and that my doctor would order another CT scan in six months. I can’t help but wonder if this is cancer and if an oncologist, after six months, will ask me why I waited so long to see him. -- T.W.
ANSWER: Medical professionals have been attempting to screen for lung cancer for decades. Chest X-rays proved insensitive: By the time cancer could be seen on X-ray, it was usually too late to do anything about it. CT scans are much more sensitive (maybe too sensitive; see below), and studies have shown that some lives will be saved with a screening program. However, the number of people who would benefit is relatively small; 256 moderate-to-heavy smokers would need yearly screening for three years in order to prevent one lung cancer death.
There are two other significant concerns about lung cancer screening. The first is the issue you have now: an abnormal result and what to do about it. It’s extremely common. Almost 25% of scans will be abnormal, and 96% of the abnormal results will be false positives. But it will require multiple scans and sometimes an invasive procedure to prove it. This means a great deal of anxiety among people who get the type of result you did.
The small size of your nodule means your risk that this nodule is cancer is much lower than 1%. A follow-up scan is the usual recommendation, and if the nodule is the same size or smaller, the chance of it being cancer is very close to zero. You should have had a careful explanation of the likelihood of false positive results before getting the scan. You should also have been warned of the possible need for a biopsy and the possible financial costs associated with follow-up testing.
The second concern is that current smokers who consider screening should receive intensive advice and help in quitting smoking. A negative CT scan is not a “clean bill of health” for a smoker and quitting remains the single most important thing most smokers can do for their overall health.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 90 years old. My husband and I donated blood as often as needed, over 100 times, but last week my doctor said I tested positive for syphilis. I about fell off my chair. I haven’t slept for four nights. Have you ever heard of this? -- E.
ANSWER: The screening test for syphilis, called the VDRL or RPR test, is not particularly accurate. About 1-2% of people will have a false positive result. Meaning, the test is positive but they do not have syphilis. There are many possible causes, such as infection and autoimmune disease, like lupus, but some people, particularly older people, will have a positive test for no identifiable reason.
In your case, I am sure it is a false positive, but your doctor may do a more specific test, such as an FTA-ABS, to be 100% sure. You shouldn’t let it keep you awake at night.
DR. ROACH WRITES: A recent column on easy bruising in older adults prompted several readers to recommend specialized makeup products to cover the discolored areas. That is not something I had considered, and I appreciate the recommendation. Another reader recommended dry skin brushing, but I could not find good evidence that this helps with skin discoloration.