Mammography

Breast cancer screening rates are declining,according to a recent study by the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.

In a commentary on the mammography controversypublished in Diagnostic Imaging six and ahalf years ago,2 I discussed how two prestigiousgroups of scientists analyzed data from the eightmost commonly recognized clinical trials onscreening mammography conducted to date andarrived at opposite conclusions.

Other headlines:Siemens passes mammography milestoneMerge enhances mammography productSwissray nabs VA contract

It wasn’t too long ago that ultrasound was a roiling sea of innovation and new product releases, spurred by a rivalry among Diasonics, ATL, Hewlett-Packard (Agilent Technologies), and Acuson. Since these companies’ acquisition by GE, Philips, and Siemens, the waters have calmed. Supersonic Imagine plans to begin making some waves -- and soon.

Digital breast tomosynthesis was found to be superior to 2D digital mammography for determining tumor boundaries, a value at a time when more women with breast cancer are choosing breast conservation therapy, according to a study presented Friday.

Digital breast tomosynthesis was found to be superior to 2D digital mammography for determining tumor boundaries, a value at a time when more women with breast cancer are choosing breast conservation therapy, according to a study presented Friday.

Alternating two screening modalities pays off forwomen with high genetic likelihood of breast cancerAlternating MRI with mammographyevery six months picks up breastcancers missed when mammographyis performed alone for high-riskwomen.

Breast cancer screening rates among young premenopausal women are declining, according to a study on mammography use from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mammographers worry that the trend could lead to the erosion of screening services and of preventive care in general.

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Agfa sets sights on ECR 2009Carestream reaches milestoneFrench support ultrasound-guided therapy

The perceived threat of medical malpractice claims makes a bigger impression on radiologists than the actual risk of litigation warrants.

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Breast imaging remained a strongpoint of scientific research at the 2008RSNA meeting, with breast MRI playinga starring role but sharing the limelightwith tomosynthesis, positionemission mammography, and breastspecificgamma imaging.

Mammography is less certain than anyone would like. Comparing the accuracy of MR and x-ray mammography in women with dense breasts makes that clear. But there is another reason for greater concern, and it’s one I would have never suspected.

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The FDA has issued an advisory warning physicians and patients about potential health risks from topical anesthetic lidocaine used to reduce the discomfort of breast mammography.

One sure way to disappoint is to promise more than you can deliver. Mammography appears to be doing just that. A public survey conducted in Europe found that the vast majority of people hugely overestimate the life-saving benefits of breast and prostate cancer screening.

Digital mammography is at least as good as screen-film mammography for detecting breast cancer, according to a population-based screening program study presented at the RSNA meeting by Irish researchers.

A recent study suggests that by lowering access barriers to mammography, the Obama administration could help combat the tendency of uninsured minority women to delay seeking diagnosis for breast cancer. Delayed diagnosis translates into delayed treatment and a poorer prognosis for many women.

Hologic profit outlook brightens amid lower revenuesSonoSite releases breast imaging unit

Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have confirmed what mammographers have long suspected: Digital screening mammograms may take twice as long to read than film. Understanding all variables could boost or make up for interpretation speed.

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Alternating MRI with mammography every six months picks up breast cancers not identified by mammography alone for women at high risk, according to research out of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.