Question

A physical examination was used to screen for breast cancer in 2,500 women with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the breast and in 5,000 age- and race-matched control women. The results of the physical examination were positive (i.e., a mass was palpated) in 1,800 cases and in 800 control women.

If the disease prevalence INCREASES , what effect, if any, would this have on i) sensitivity, ii) specificity, iii) positive predictive value, and iv) negative predictive value?

Answer 1