False Positives in Cancer Tests: What Patients Should Know
Cancer screenings save countless lives every year by helping detect the disease early—often before symptoms even appear. But sometimes, these tests can give results that seem alarming even when there’s no cancer. This is what doctors call a false positive. It means the test suggests something suspicious, but further investigation shows it isn’t actually cancer. False positives can understandably cause fear and confusion, but knowing why they happen and how they’re handled can help patients stay calm and make informed decisions. Working closely with an experienced Surgical Oncologist in Noida ensures that every step, from diagnosis to confirmation, is managed with precision and care. What Exactly Is a False Positive? A false positive occurs when a cancer screening test indicates possible cancer when there isn’t any. This can happen with many tests—like mammograms, Pap smears, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests, and CA-125 blood tests. For example, during a breast cancer scre...