Using digital mammography leads to increased cancer detection rates
August 4th, 2009 - 2:01 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Aug 4 (ANI): Researchers at San Luis Diagnostic Center in San Luis Obispo, California, have found that the use of digital mammography equipment alone is responsible for an increased number of breast cancers detected at a community-based mammography facility.
They found that there was a significant increase in the number of breast cancers detected following the switch from film-screen to digital mammography.
The number of cancers detected prior to the switch averaged between 4.1-4.5 cancers per 1,000 women imaged.
Following the switch, the cancer detection rate increased to 7.9 cancers per 1,000 women imaged, and has remained high.
The researchers used an auditing system to evaluate breast cancer detection rates.
“Surprisingly, sixty to seventy percent of screening facilities in the United States are still using film-screen mammography. This is a disadvantage because digital mammography offers considerable advantages over film-screen mammography,” said the lead author of the study.
He added: “I would certainly encourage patients who are being screened to look for facilities that have digital technology because it is faster and has a higher cancer detection rate. There is a need for more studies like ours to confirm our findings.
The study has been published in the August issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. (ANI)
- New nuclear breast imaging technologies linked to higher cancer risks - Aug 25, 2010
- Radiation dose less with digital mammography - Jan 22, 2010
- Increased use of Computer-aided detection in mammography - Oct 02, 2010
- Experts offer 10 tips for breast cancer screening and early detection - Oct 10, 2010
- Targeted breast ultrasound effective for women under 30 - Nov 23, 2010
- Annual mammograms beginning at 40 save 71pc more lives: Study - Jan 28, 2011
- No need to wait until age 50 for breast cancer screening: Study - Oct 01, 2010
- Sheryl Crow opens breast cancer centre in LA - Aug 25, 2010
- Use of preoperative breast MRI results in high cancer yield - Jan 13, 2011
- MRI recommended for women with personal history of breast cancer - Nov 29, 2010
- 3T MRI detects breast cancer not visible via mammography, sonography - May 06, 2009
- Pakistan could see rise in breast cancer cases - Jan 23, 2011
- As breast cancer spreads in India, awareness is key (Feature) - Sep 01, 2010
- MRI and mammography diagnoses breast cancer at earlier stages - Dec 11, 2009
- Drop in breast cancer rates linked to reduced hormone therapy - Dec 01, 2010
Tags: auditing, breast cancer, breast cancer detection, breast cancers, diagnostic center, digital mammography, digital technology, film screen, mammography equipment, san luis obispo, san luis obispo california, screening facilities
