Can new technology improve breast screening accuracy?
Healthcare · 2 min read
For many women, their annual mammogram is an essential preventative test – yet standard screening, such as mammography, can have limitations with regard to accuracy, particularly for women with dense breasts. Studies suggest that among women who undergo an annual screening mammography over a 10-year period, around half will be given at least one false-positive result, with around 1,000 women subsequently undergoing a biopsy.
The adoption of new technologies, such as digital breast tomosynthesis, breast MR and breast ultrasound are helping to change that. Data presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showed that, in women with dense breasts, more lesions were diagnosed when ultrasound screening was conducted in conjunction with mammography, compared with mammography alone.
How can new technologies support radiologists?
Research has shown that radiologists rate the perception of subtle cancers and the detection of early phase cancers as their biggest challenges. Improvements in screening techniques, and the introduction of these new modalities, have a role to play in supporting radiologists to feel more confident in their reads, first time, without the need for further interventions.
Imaging systems that combine a range of modalities in one (such as mammography, breast MR and breast ultrasound) can increase radiologists’ efficiency and comfort. Creating a more comfortable reading experience also contributes to radiologist productivity and accuracy.
Seeing into the future of breast imaging
To reduce the incidence of false-negative and false-positive readings, within an environment of growing demand and complexity, radiologists need to be supported with better modalities, such as digital breast tomosynthesis, breast MR and breast ultrasound, that provide the clarity of imaging and improve efficiency in the work environment.
Health services must invest in these new technologies in order to prevent the unnecessary cost of further investigation and/or intervention, in addition to the distress felt by women due to false-negative/positive readings.