Breast Imaging

Breast imaging includes imaging modalities used for breast cancer screenings and planning therapy once cancer is detected. Mammography is the primary modality used. Mammogram technology is moving from 2D full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to breast tomosynthesis, or 3D mammography, which helps reduce false positive exams by allowing radiologists to look through the layers of tissue. Overlapping areas of dense breast tissue on 2D mammograms appear similar to cancers and 3D tomo helps determine if suspect areas are cancer or not. About 50% of women have dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms, the same as cancers, making diagnosis difficult. Radiologists use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scoring system to define the density of breast tissue. Many states now require patients to be notified if they have dense breasts so they understand their mammograms might be suboptimal and they should use supplemental imaging that can see through the dense areas. This includes tomosythesis, breast ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), breast MRI, contrast enhanced mammography and nuclear imaging, including positron emission mammography (PEM).

breast cancer screening mammography

DBT-based radiomics nomogram predicts lymphovascular invasion in breast cancer patients

The DBT-based combined radiomic nomogram achieved a specificity of nearly 95% when predicting lymphovascular invasion, which was higher than other clinical predictive models. 

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FDA clears device to aid in breast localization during imaging-guided biopsy

Merit Medical Systems claims its system is the first wire-free solution providers can deploy during such MRI-based procedures. 

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'Surprising' decline in annual screening among breast cancer survivors has experts concerned

The downward trend in annual mammography adherence should serve as a call to action for new processes to engage breast cancer survivors, physicians urged.

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Notable names among 22 sites joining ACR’s new initiative to improve cancer diagnostics

Those include Radiology Partners, Solis Mammography, Cleveland Clinic, Stanford Health Care and Intermountain, among others, the college announced Thursday. 

mammography mammogram breast cancer

New data on false positive rates for DBT and DM screenings

Digital breast tomosynthesis exams produce fewer false positive results than standard two-dimensional mammography, though not substantially, experts shared recently in JAMA Open Network.

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AI shows promise as a second reader for breast cancer detection

A commercial artificial intelligence system correctly identified nearly 88% of screen-detected cancers and 45% of interval cancers, according to a major study published in Radiology

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Digital breast tomosynthesis does not substantially reduce the risk of false-positive screening results

Findings from a new JAMA study highlight the importance of patient-provider discussions when determining screening interval and modality. 

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US Senate passes bill to bolster access to breast cancer screening services and related care

If approved by the House, the MAMMO Act would launch a telemammography pilot program to broaden offerings for vets in rural areas, among other changes.