Articles tagged with Mammography
Researchers found unhealthy substance use is a barrier to completing recommended preventive services, including mammograms and flu shots. The study suggests targeting individuals with substance use problems for tailored interventions to improve service adherence.
Two new studies show a significant drop in mammograms performed in women aged 40-49, leading to decreased benefits of early detection. Researchers found that cancers detected earlier through screening mammography presented at an earlier stage than those not screened, resulting in lower survival rates if guidelines are followed.
A new study found that annual mammograms are as effective as interval post-treatment mammograms in detecting breast cancer recurrences. The research suggests eliminating the interval mammogram would save healthcare costs without negatively impacting patient outcomes, decreasing unnecessary biopsies and stress.
Experts warn that disclosing quantitative data to patients can backfire due to numeracy problems and biases in interpreting data. Studies show that decision aids increase patient knowledge but may not always lead to informed decisions. Researchers advocate for further research on presenting risk information to aid decision-making.
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that US women were confused by recent mammography screening recommendations, with 30% more confused than helped. The majority of media coverage was unsupportive, and women aged 40-49 years were most likely to be confused.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs found that rural Appalachian women are more likely to perform breast health self-examinations and seek medical attention when their caregiving responsibilities are recognized. The research suggests that appealing to their strength as caretakers encourages them to take care of themsel...
Breast cancer is a significant global health issue, with most deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. A Personal View published in The Lancet Oncology suggests that population-based mammography screening is not practical or cost-effective in these countries.
Women with prior breast cancer have lower sensitivity and specificity for detecting second cancers through mammography screening, which may lead to over- or under-diagnosis. Screening outcomes also depend on the treatment of the first cancer.
Women with a history of breast cancer have double the cancer rates as those without, according to a comprehensive study. Annual mammography screening detects second breast cancers early, but may not be as effective in detecting invasive breast cancer.
A recent study found that radiologists who interpret a high volume of mammograms are better at detecting non-malignant lesions, resulting in lower false-positive rates. However, the number of cancers detected did not increase with volume, suggesting that a balance between screening and diagnostic mammogram interpretation is key.
The study found that radiologists who interpreted more mammograms had clinically and statistically significantly fewer false-positive findings without missing more cancers. Increasing annual screening volume requirements could lower the number of American women with false-positive workups by over 70,000 per year.
A study by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research found that obese women are more likely to report pain with mammograms, while women under 60 may avoid the test due to being too busy. The study also identified other barriers to breast cancer screening, including lower household income and shorter health insurance coverage.
A new study questions US Task Force recommendations for breast cancer screening, finding that starting at a younger age and screening more frequently saves more lives. The research found that women who undergo yearly mammograms between ages 40-49 have a 40% reduction in breast cancer deaths.
Researchers found mammograms show calcifications in the blood vessels of nearly two-thirds of women with end-stage renal disease, potentially contributing to heart disease risk. The study suggests mammograms may be a useful tool for studying cardiovascular disease progression in kidney patients.
A study found that women with false-positive mammograms reported significant anxiety and reduced quality of life, particularly if they were prone to anxiety. The effects lasted at least a year, with more diagnostic procedures required for a final diagnosis.
A study of over 12 million women found that only half received annual mammograms, with rates varying by age group. The low rate has sparked theories on reasons behind non-compliance, including discomfort and lack of available screening centers.
Researchers suggest scheduling mammograms in the first week of a woman's menstrual cycle to improve accuracy in detecting breast cancer. The study found that mammography conducted at this time was more sensitive, but not necessarily specific, for finding breast cancers in pre-menopausal women.
The Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanner provides high-quality images without compressing the breast tissue, making it a promising supporting role to conventional mammography. Preliminary research shows that breast coverage and radiation dose are comparable to mammography.
A study by the Radiological Society of North America found that annual mammography between ages 40 and 50 significantly reduces mastectomy rates. The researchers analyzed data from 971 women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at a UK hospital, concluding that yearly screening improves breast conservation outcomes.
A study found that yearly mammogram screening in women under 50 with a family history of breast cancer can lead to smaller, less aggressive tumors and improved survival rates. The research suggests that this approach could prevent up to two deaths from breast cancer per 10,000 screens.
A new study by Radiological Society of North America suggests that routine mammography screening in women over 40 has a very low risk of radiation-induced breast cancer. The study found that annual or biennial screening would result in few cancers and fatalities, but numerous lives saved through early detection.
A new study published in Cancer highlights the need to expand colorectal cancer screening to minority communities, particularly those without medical insurance. Offering screening at mammography visits is an effective way to generate interest and initiate the process, with 55% of participants going on to have a colonoscopy.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patient navigation services significantly improved biennial mammography screening rates among inner city women. The study showed a significant increase in adherence rates to 87% in those who received patient navigation, compared to 76% in the non-navigated group.
Computer-aided detection (CAD) software highlighted abnormal areas on mammographic images, used in 74% of screening exams and 50% of diagnostic exams by 2008. The technology is becoming standard practice despite controversy over its efficacy.
A landmark study found that annual mammography screenings for women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer deaths by nearly 30%. The results confirm that age 50 as a screening threshold is unfounded, and women should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40.
Researchers developed a Monte Carlo analysis tool to optimize X-ray mammography, improving image quality and reducing radiation dose. The algorithm may also detect cancerous tissue in breasts automatically.
Two newer breast imaging technologies, BSGI and PEM, have been approved for clinical use despite higher cancer risks. The lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer from BSGI and PEM exams are significantly higher than digital mammography, with estimated risks ranging from 20 to 30 times higher.
A study found that mammographic tumor detectability decreases with age, primarily due to denser breast tissue masking tumors. The study suggests that lowered mammographic tumor detectability accounts for 79% of the poorer sensitivity in mammography screening among younger women.
Two new studies have tested three different methods for accurately measuring breast density. A third technique called dual-energy mammography showed promise in measuring breast density. The researchers hope to use this method to improve the accuracy of breast cancer risk assessments.
A recent meta-analysis found that there is no single best intervention for promoting repeat breast cancer screening with mammography. The studies were heterogeneous, differing in their conclusions about similar interventions due to a lack of standardization among interventions or different populations and settings.
A study by UC Davis researcher Joshua Fenton found that use of computer-aided detection (CAD) in mammography screenings surged after Medicare began covering its cost. The prevalence of CAD increased from 5% to 27% between 2001 and 2003, despite uncertainty over its clinical impact on breast cancer outcomes.
A study of 2.5 million screening mammograms found improved detection of breast cancer from non-cancerous lesions over nine years, with increased recall rates and sensitivity rates. The increase in cancer detection outweighed false-positive test results, leading to a positive net effect.
A study of 117,738 women aged 18-39 found that screening mammograms had poor accuracy and high recall rates for additional tests. Diagnostic mammograms performed due to symptoms had better accuracy and detection rates.
A recent study by the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute found that up to 49% of physicians interpreting screening mammograms could benefit from additional training. The study identified criteria for low-performance measures, targeting ranges of accuracy and potential overuse of tests.
Researchers found that women with a breast density of 75% or higher have a four-to-five-fold increased risk of breast cancer. Decreases in breast density over time may be associated with lower breast cancer risk.
A new WHI analysis found an association between breast density changes and increased breast cancer risk in women taking estrogen plus progestin therapy. Researchers used mammograms from over 150,000 women, including those with invasive breast cancer, to determine that a decline in mammographic density was linked to lower cancer risk.
Researchers found a 28% reduced risk of developing breast cancer in women whose breasts decreased in density over time. The study suggests that measures of breast density may provide additional information for assessing breast cancer risk.
A study found that case management in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program reduced delays in diagnosis among low-income women by 45% between 1998 and 2007. Free treatment also showed no significant impact on diagnostic or treatment delays.
A new study found that breast cancers detected through palpable lumps, not mammography, were more common in women who didn't undergo annual screening. The researchers also found that clinical breast examination and breast self-examination played a crucial role in detecting breast cancer.
A recent multicenter cohort study reveals that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is substantially more accurate for early diagnosis of breast cancer than digital mammography or breast ultrasound. For young women at elevated risk, annual MRI is considered necessary and sufficient for screening.
A new study suggests that annual combined screening with both mammography and breast MRI can improve life expectancy in women with increased breast cancer risk. This approach detects early-stage cancers more effectively and provides the greatest relative mortality reduction.
A review of the US Preventive Services Task Force's statement on screening for breast cancer raises questions about the methodology and evidence behind widely publicized mammography guidelines. The study found low methodological scores in the report, potentially undermining the recommended changes for breast cancer screening.
A new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that digital mammography significantly lowers radiation doses (22%) compared to conventional film mammography. This reduction could be greater for women with larger and denser breasts, leading to improved cancer detection rates.
A study of 2,131 elderly women found that 18% with severe cognitive impairment received unnecessary screening mammography. The study highlights the potential harms of screening in women with limited life expectancies.
Researchers found a significant correlation between mammography center availability and breast cancer mortality rates, with lower rates in counties with more facilities. Mammography availability was linked to a decrease in breast cancer mortality rates, suggesting that increasing access to these services can lead to better outcomes.
The new SBI and ACR recommendations suggest that breast cancer screening should begin at age 40, with annual screening recommended for average-risk patients. High-risk patients may start screening as early as age 30. The guidelines aim to reduce mortality rates from breast cancer through earlier detection.
A study found that only 51.6% of eligible women completed a screening MRI, with claustrophobia as the primary reason for nonparticipation. Alternative methods like ultrasound may be considered for high-risk women who cannot undergo MRI screening.
A recent study published in JAMA found that most primary care physician practices have too few patients to reliably measure quality and cost performance. The researchers analyzed data from over 2005 Medicare Part B and found that only a small percentage of practices had sufficient caseloads to detect significant differences in common m...
Research shows that the majority of first mammograms in this study were for screening purposes, rather than evaluation of a breast problem. False positive rates from diagnostic mammograms varied widely between ethnic groups, raising concerns about the impact on women's future mammography use.
A recent study suggests that mammography screening in young women with genetic or familial predisposition to breast cancer may increase their breast cancer risk. The study found that repeated exposure to low-dose radiation increases breast cancer risk among these women, particularly those under age 20 or with five or more exposures.
The US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against routine breast cancer screening for women under 50 due to insufficient evidence. However, women between 40-49 at high risk should discuss biennial mammography with their doctor. The task force also suggests changing the screening interval from one year to two until age 74.
African-American women face obstacles to timely breast cancer care, with delays in follow-up exams leading to later detection and reduced survival. Despite disparities, programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program show promise in addressing these issues.
Clemson University researchers are developing mathematical models to improve resolution in Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) for detecting smaller breast cancers. The method uses infrared and visible light to create high-resolution images without radiation, eliminating false positives and negatives.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine recommend that women on hormone therapy continue their treatment before annual mammogram screenings. The increase in breast density due to hormone therapy is unlikely to mask early cancer detection, making it unnecessary to stop treatment prior to screening.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that adding clinical breast examination to mammography improves breast cancer detection rates and sensitivities, but also leads to higher false-positive rates. The study used a cohort of over 290,000 women screened between 2002 and 2003.
A study found that women's stress levels increased when they believed in mammography's efficacy, while those coming in for diagnostic tests felt less stress as their belief grew. Healthcare providers should consider patient stage and tailor services to reduce stress.
A study at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA found that combining digital breast tomosynthesis and full-field digital mammography can decrease recall rates by 30% for cancer-free examinations. This could alleviate patient stress and economic burden on imaging facilities.
A recent study found that digital mammography significantly increases breast cancer detection rates, outperforming film-screen technology. The switch led to a notable rise in cancers detected at San Luis Diagnostic Center, averaging 7.9 cancers per 1,000 women imaged.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a reminder program using electronic health records and personalized outreach increased mammography rates among women aged 50-69. Mammography rates jumped from 63% to over 80%, with 75% of women completing their screenings within 10 months.
A new study found that taking a short break from postmenopausal hormone therapy does not lower the risk of false-positive mammogram results. However, it may help reduce breast density, making tumors harder to detect on X-rays.