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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Fertility treatment an opportune time to screen women in their 40s for breast cancer

Marrying mammography and the use of assisted reproductive technology appears feasible, particularly as birth rates rise among this age group, experts say. 

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Breast radiologists’ opinions diverge on how to structure resident education, rotations

Imaging experts said they were "surprised" at the lack of consensus regarding how to manage first rotations during a 12-week program.

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National breast cancer screening expenditures surged 33%—to $5.2B—as DBT took hold

The U.S. healthcare system could have saved $1B if women were screened solely with 2D mammography in 2019, Yale experts wrote in JAMA Internal Medicine. 

mammography mammogram breast cancer

Breast density associated with an increased risk of invasive cancer among women 75 and up

Researchers recommend individualized screening strategies for this population, among whom mammography guidance remains murky. 

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer at outpatient imaging centers ‘highly feasible’

MD Anderson developed its questionnaire using National Comprehensive Cancer Network referral guidelines, administering the form as part of regular mammography intake.  

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Bolstering insurance coverage more effective than adopting breast density notification laws

Statutes mandating payment for supplemental screening of dense breasts produced 6% lower odds of diagnosis at a regional stage. 

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Healthcare professionals face significantly higher risk of breast cancer diagnosis than other women

The finding is part of a longitudinal study incorporating more than 830,000 women, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Women with benign breast disease after surgery ‘significantly’ less likely to follow annual imaging surveillance

That's according to a new analysis out of Johns Hopkins University, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

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