Mammography

Latest News



FloSeal Matrix Hemostatic Sealant may stanch bleeding when other techniques fail, but it also spawns microcalcifications on digital or analog screening mammography that could lead to false positives for breast cancer, according to a case series collected by Loyola University radiologists.

Distrust of healthcare providers, cultural barriers, lack of information about the benefits of screening, or simply the need to cut corners might all contribute to the levels of compliance for breast cancer screening among minorities, including African American, Hispanic, and lesbian/bisexual women, recent studies show.

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.

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.

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.

Business Briefs

Siemens unveils single-head gamma cameraFDA approves new FFDM systems Varian readies proton therapy for EuropeGE schedules first installations of new PET/CT

Business Briefs

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

Business briefs

Hologic FFDM sales flattenVarian financials sizzleMR software firm lands $4MSNM streamlines review for new PET marker

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.

Business briefs

GE imaging orders nosedive in 4QNuance taps new VPQStar updates data management productsAtirix readies QC-Track software for Canada

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.

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.