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).

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AI decision support tool used in breast cancer screening

Commercially available AI reduces radiologists' workload by 34% in certain screening settings

It also increases cancer detection rates and reduces false positives, according to new work published in the journal Radiology. 

Comparison of a 2D digital mammogram and breast tomosynthesis 3D mammography from UCSF.

DBT exams take twice as long to read as 2D mammograms, but the learning curve is short

Although DBT exams are proven to identify more difficult to detect cancers, especially among women with dense breasts, they also include significantly more images than standard 2D mammograms. 

the words "FDA recall" on a board

Dozens of injuries trigger FDA recall of over 50,000 implantable tissue marking devices

The Class I recall, which is the most serious recall the FDA issues, comes after numerous adverse events and complications linked to the radiographic markers were reported.  

mammography mammogram breast cancer

Age, race and density status influence AI performance on mammogram reads

Although studies have shown AI to be effective as a support tool, several have also highlighted issues related to the potential for bias in algorithms that have not been trained on diverse datasets. 

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Mammogram findings linked to heightened risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension

The new research, presented during ARRS 2024 in Boston, suggests CVD risk models may need to include certain findings identified in routine mammograms. 

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New study results 'strongly' back supplemental MRI for women with dense breasts

This latest research further confirms that breast MRI not only detects tumors that mammography cannot, but it also spots invasive cases that pose greater risks to patients. 

boston scientific acquires axonics

Hologic purchases competitor for $310M

Hologic has agreed to buy Endomag, a privately held breast cancer surgery company in the U.K.

breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

USPSTF stops short of recommending supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue

Experts, medical organizations and advocates alike are coming forward saying that the new guidelines “do not go far enough,” particularly when it comes to addressing the screening needs of certain patients. 

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