Articles tagged with Mammography
A new study found that annual screening starting at age 40 reduces breast cancer-specific deaths by nearly 40%, compared to 23-31% reductions with other recommendations. The findings suggest that women starting annual mammography at age 40 may benefit from a significant reduction in breast cancer-related deaths.
Women who receive false-positive mammogram results are more likely to begin medication for anxiety or depression than those with immediate negative results. A 10-20% higher rate of prescription medications was found in patients requiring multiple tests to rule out a breast cancer diagnosis.
A multicenter study found that MRI screening added 3.8 additional cancers per 1,000 women compared to mammography alone, while ultrasonography added 2.4 additional cancers. Women treated with breast conservation surgery and radiotherapy remain at increased risk for second breast cancers.
A recent study published in CANCER found that Asian women are less likely to receive timely follow-up tests after an abnormal mammogram compared to non-Hispanic White women. The study highlights disparities in breast cancer screening and outcomes among Asian ethnic groups, with Vietnamese and Filipino women facing the longest delays.
Recent guideline changes have led to disagreement among professional societies on best practices for mammography. Physician screening recommendations vary, with some recommending annual exams and others prioritizing biennial screenings.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that American workers without paid sick leave are less likely to receive preventive health care screenings, including flu shots. The study highlights the importance of paid sick leave benefits in promoting public health.
New study reveals improved cancer detection rates with digital mammography, but also increased abnormal interpretation rates leading to more unnecessary biopsies for benign conditions. The study highlights the need for quality improvement initiatives to address these trends.
A new digital breast tomosynthesis technique has been shown to reduce screening recall rates and improve cancer detection, while minimizing radiation exposure. The technique, known as s2D mammography combined with DBT, detected 76.5% of invasive cancers at a lower rate than traditional methods.
Constantine Gatsonis, a leading researcher on cancer screening studies, emphasizes the importance of rigorously produced evidence in health screenings. His work has shed light on the accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and impact of various screening methods, including digital mammography and tomosynthesis.
A new study found that women who have a false positive result from a screening mammogram are more likely to delay or forgo their subsequent screening mammogram. This delay can increase the risk of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis, which can lead to poorer treatment outcomes.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased mammography use among all economic subgroups, including those with lower incomes. However, colonoscopy screening rates remained unchanged despite eliminating out-of-pocket expenses under the ACA. The findings suggest that other barriers to colonoscopy access may still exist.
A large study analyzed over 5.6 million screening mammograms and found a gradual upward trend in cancer detection rates and positive predictive values with increasing age, but no clear evidence for age-based mammography cessation. The findings support guidelines encouraging individual patient decisions based on health status.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that radiologists who compare prior mammograms with more than one image have better true-positive outcomes and fewer false-positives. This reduction in recall rates can lead to a decrease in anxiety, radiation exposure, biopsies, and healthcare costs for patients.
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that uninsured women under 65 years of age are more likely to experience delays in receiving follow-up mammograms. These delays can contribute to disparities in breast cancer outcomes, including larger tumor size at diagnosis and reduced survival.
Women with extremely high breast density are more likely to develop breast cancer, and current mammography technology may miss tumors. Researchers are working to improve breast cancer diagnosis and health outcomes for women through education and better utilization of screening methods.
Researchers at RIT and Rochester Regional Health are advancing thermal imaging techniques for detecting early-stage breast cancer. The collaboration aims to increase the accuracy of screening using a potentially safer and less invasive diagnostic tool.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators shows that trained radiologists can identify abnormal mammograms at better than chance levels when shown images for only half a second. The researchers found that finer details of breast tissue texture help radiologists make the correct diagnosis more frequently.
Researchers at Houston Methodist developed an AI software that reliably interprets mammograms to predict breast cancer risk. The software achieves 99% accuracy in 30 times human speed, reducing unnecessary biopsies and saving physician hours.
Breast density and risk can inform decision to adjust mammogram screening frequency; average-risk women with lower breast density may safely extend screening interval to once every three years. Higher-risk women with dense breasts would reap greater benefit from annual screening, according to the American College of Physicians.
A new report by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute proposes a bundled payment model for breast cancer screening, which could help reduce healthcare costs and improve patient adherence to screening guidelines. The model includes mammography and downstream diagnostic imaging services within a 364-day episode window.
The American Cancer Society's new guidelines modify mammography ages and emphasize patient involvement in decision-making. The shift aims to balance cancer detection with the high rate of false positives, which are approximately 19 times more likely than true positives.
Researchers have developed a new device that enables existing breast cancer imagers to provide up to six times better contrast of tumors in the breast while maintaining the same or better image quality. The Variable Angle Slant Hole Collimator reduces radiation dose to patients by half, potentially improving imaging of other organs.
A study by Dr Sian Taylor-Phillips and her team found no decline in mammogram readers' accuracy, despite previous theories suggesting a 'vigilance decrement.' The researchers analyzed 1.2 million women's x-rays and found that cancer detection rates stayed constant throughout each batch of approximately 35 readings.
A study published in JAMA found that longer periods of film readers interpreting screening mammograms did not result in a reduced rate of breast cancer detection. The researchers investigated the impact of changing the order in which two experts examined digital mammograms on cancer detection rates, but found no significant difference.
A study published in JAMA found that adding tomosynthesis to digital mammography significantly increased cancer detection rates and reduced recall rates for women with dense breasts. The findings suggest that supplemental breast cancer screening using tomosynthesis may improve outcomes for women with varying levels of breast density.
A study by Nancy R. Kressin and colleagues found that dense breast notifications sent to women after mammography contain poor readability and understandability, potentially exacerbating disparities in breast cancer screening. Only three states' notifications met the recommended readability level of grades 7-8 or above.
A new study found that dense breast notifications are often poorly readable and understandable, creating uncertainty for women making decisions about supplemental screening. The study suggests that efforts should focus on enhancing the readability of these notifications to inform women accurately about their breast density status.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that Latina women who received 'Promotora' visits had nearly twice the screening rate of those who did not receive visits. The study showed a modest but significant increase in screening rates, with over 19% of participants completing a mammogram within a year.
A study suggests that breast arterial calcification visible on digital mammography is linked to coronary arterial calcification and cardiovascular risk. The presence of breast arterial calcification appears to be an equivalent or stronger risk factor for CAC than other well-established cardiovascular risk factors.
Adding tomosynthesis or ultrasound scans to standard mammograms detects more breast cancers in women with dense breasts. These imaging technologies picked up an extra 24 cancers, improving detection rates.
A new study found significant reductions in breast cancer screening outcomes after implementing digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), including lower patient recall rates and a decline in interval cancers. The study suggests DBT can be sustained over time with improved outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that 3D mammography improved cancer detection and reduced call backs over three years. Regularly scheduled 3D mammography imaging maintained these benefits, even after a patient's first screening.
A comprehensive modeling study found that breast cancer screening with digital mammography poses only a small risk of radiation-induced breast cancer for most women. However, the research showed increased risk for women with large breasts or breast implants. The study suggests biennial screening from ages 50 to 74 may be the safest opt...
A systematic review of breast density studies found unreliable determinations and a significant risk of re-categorization. Supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breasts may find additional cancers but also greatly increase false positive results, highlighting the need for more research on evaluation methods.
The USPSTF recommends regular mammography screening for women aged 50-74, with a recommended frequency of every two years. Women in their 40s should make an individual decision with their doctor about starting screening, considering factors like health history and preferences. The Task Force also notes that screening is less effective ...
A study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that ultrasound sensitivity is comparable to mammography, but with a higher false-positive rate. The researchers suggest considering ultrasound as a supplemental test for women with dense breasts or those unable to tolerate MRI.
Women with a history of false-positive mammogram results may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer for up to 10 years after the initial false-positive result. A new study found that women who received a false-positive result had a 39% higher risk of subsequent breast cancer compared to those with true-negative results.
A new study suggests that breast density alone is not a significant risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The study found no significant difference in breast density between breast cancer patients and control groups.
A new study found that pigeons can accurately distinguish between benign and malignant breast cancer slides, similar to human observers. With some training, pigeons performed just as well as humans in categorizing digitized microscope slides and mammograms of normal vs. cancerous breast tissue.
A new study finds that pigeons can accurately categorize digitized microscope slides and mammograms of benign and malignant human breast tissue. With training, they perform as well as humans in this task, demonstrating a remarkable ability to perceive and process visual cues.
A new study published by Bielefeld University found that only one in three women participating in Germany's mammography screening programme (MSP) are well-informed about it. The study also showed that women with higher levels of education and those from Turkish migration backgrounds are more likely to make an informed decision.
A new study published in The Lancet found that adding ultrasound to standard mammography tests results in higher rates of detection for breast cancer in Japanese women. The J-START trial showed a sensitivity of 91% with ultrasound combined with mammography, compared to 77% for mammography alone.
A large study found that high-grade DCIS detection rates increase with age, particularly among women over 65. The study suggests that standard DCIS therapy may not be effective in this age group and highlights the need for more research on the effectiveness of screening.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology describes a successful intervention to decrease anxiety related to mammography, increasing breast cancer screening rates. The study found that information about the logistics and outcomes of mammography reduced anxiety and improved understanding among participants.
The American Cancer Society recommends starting annual mammography screening at age 45 for average-risk women. Women between 40-44 can choose to begin annual screening. Clinical breast examination is no longer recommended due to lack of clear evidence on its effectiveness in detecting breast cancer.
A recent study found that premenopausal women who received annual mammography screenings had smaller and less advanced tumors compared to those who received biennial screenings. In contrast, postmenopausal women did not show significant differences in tumor characteristics regardless of screening frequency.
A new study suggests that postmenopausal women may be safely screened every two years, while premenopausal women over 40 may benefit from annual mammograms to increase early detection. The research also highlights the importance of considering menopausal status rather than age when determining screening intervals.
A new MRI technique, DWIBS-MRM, has been shown to provide accurate results for breast cancer detection without the need for ionizing radiation or contrast agents. The technique achieved a high negative predictive value of 92% and may potentially reduce unnecessary biopsies.
A review article discusses the issues of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in breast cancer screening, highlighting the benefits of newer technologies like breast tomosynthesis. The study finds that this technology reduces false recall rates by 15-30% while increasing cancer detection rates by about 29%.
A large national BCSC study found that computer-aided detection (CAD) of breast cancer screening does not improve accuracy or patient outcomes. CAD raised screening costs and increased false positives, but did not detect more cancers or improve outcomes for women in screening programs.
A recent study found that a costly computer-aided detection tool used in nearly all mammograms does not improve cancer detection rates and may even result in missed cancers. The study's findings have led some researchers to advocate for ending Medicare coverage of the tool, which could save millions annually.
A large study found that computer-aided detection (CAD) for mammography did not improve diagnostic accuracy in radiologists' interpretations. Despite increased use and FDA approval, CAD's effectiveness was not supported by the results, leading to calls for reduced reimbursement or reconsideration of its continued coverage.
Researchers developed a new method using gold nanoparticles to enhance mammogram imaging, improving the detection of early signs of breast cancer. The technique boosts contrast and makes microcalcifications brighter on X-rays, potentially leading to more reliable diagnosis.
A review of randomised trials on cancer screening finds that mammographic screening may not reduce breast cancer mortality as expected. The study suggests that the benefits of mammography screening are likely to have been overestimated due to an unconventional statistical method used in earlier trials.
Women who attend breast cancer screening between ages 50-69 have a 40% reduced risk of dying from breast cancer. Regular screening is also associated with a 23% risk reduction, resulting in approximately eight deaths prevented per 1,000 women regularly attending screening.
A new study by the University of Copenhagen found that women who received a false positive mammogram result showed signs of stress and depression years after the initial diagnosis was denied. Researchers are now urging for better information and support to be provided to women receiving false positives.
A new screening method, tomosynthesis, has been found to detect 40% more breast cancers than traditional mammography. The technique uses 3D X-ray images and reduces discomfort and pain during the examination.
A study found a strong correlation between breast arterial calcification and coronary artery calcification, suggesting that mammography could help identify women at risk of heart disease. The presence of BAC was linked to an increased CAC score, highlighting its potential as a preventive measure.
A comprehensive analysis confirms biennial mammography screening offers a favorable balance of benefits to harm for women ages 50-74 with an average risk of developing breast cancer. Screening strategies, including starting age and interval between exams, are analyzed to determine the optimal approach.
The debate surrounding breast cancer overdiagnosis has led to inconsistent estimates, with some suggesting up to 50% of diagnosed cancers may be overdiagnosed. Experts argue that achieving consensus is crucial for providing balanced and uncontested information to women.