An analysis of 1600 women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations suggests that exposure to chest x-rays may increase the risk of breast cancer. Exposure before the age of 20 may be linked to particularly heightened risk.
The research, conducted by a consortium of European cancer centers, was the first to analyze the impact of low-level x-ray exposure among women genetically at high risk for the disease (J Clin Oncol 2006;24[21]:3361-3366).
This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that women genetically predisposed to breast cancer may be more susceptible to low-dose ionizing radiation than other women. If the findings are confirmed in prospective studies, young women in families known to have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may wish to consider alternatives to x-ray, such as MRI, investigators said.
European Society of Breast Imaging Issues Updated Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
April 24th 2024One of the recommendations from the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) is annual breast MRI exams starting at 25 years of age for women deemed to be at high risk for breast cancer.
New Research Examines Socioeconomic Factors with Mammography No-Shows
April 10th 2024Patients with Medicaid or means-tested insurance were over 27 percent more likely to miss mammography appointments, and only 65 percent of women with three of more adverse social determinants of health had a mammography exam in a two-year period covering 2020 and 2021, according to new research and a report from the CDC.
Mammography Study: AI Improves Breast Cancer Detection and Reduces Reading Time with DBT
April 3rd 2024An emerging artificial intelligence (AI) model demonstrated more than 12 percent higher specificity and reduced image reading time by nearly six seconds in comparison to unassisted radiologist interpretation of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images.