“These findings suggest that changing the genetic testing paradigm to population-based testing could prevent thousands of breast and ovarian cancers," experts wrote in JAMA. 

Digital breast tomosythesis now makes up close to 50% of mammography systems in the U.S. "Tomo is going to replace just straight digital mammography simply because of the benefit of fewer recalls," explained Debra L. Monticciolo, MD.

While prior imaging studies have compared changes that occur in the brain before pregnancy and after childbirth, this latest analysis is the first to span multiple time points during the full gestational period.

Debra L. Monticciolo, MD, past president of both the Society of Breast Imaging and the American College of Radiology, explains the advantages and disadvantages of current breast screening technology.

Specifically, women with BACs on their mammogram may be at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Imaging facilities are now required to notify all women about their breast density status after completing a mammogram.  

Moving away from a "one size fits all" approach to one that targets women at greater risk of developing the disease could help the UK's NHS  better allocate scarce screening resources, experts wrote.  

MRI exams are crucial for investigating fetal abnormalities, but past concerns have been expressed about whether the modality could affect intrauterine growth.