Breast Imaging

Breast imaging includes imaging modalities used for breast cancer screenings and planning therapy once cancer is detected. Mammography is the primary modality used. Mammogram technology is moving from 2D full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to breast tomosynthesis, or 3D mammography, which helps reduce false positive exams by allowing radiologists to look through the layers of tissue. Overlapping areas of dense breast tissue on 2D mammograms appear similar to cancers and 3D tomo helps determine if suspect areas are cancer or not. About 50% of women have dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms, the same as cancers, making diagnosis difficult. Radiologists use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scoring system to define the density of breast tissue. Many states now require patients to be notified if they have dense breasts so they understand their mammograms might be suboptimal and they should use supplemental imaging that can see through the dense areas. This includes tomosythesis, breast ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), breast MRI, contrast enhanced mammography and nuclear imaging, including positron emission mammography (PEM).

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Breast density associated with an increased risk of invasive cancer among women 75 and up

Researchers recommend individualized screening strategies for this population, among whom mammography guidance remains murky. 

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Screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer at outpatient imaging centers ‘highly feasible’

MD Anderson developed its questionnaire using National Comprehensive Cancer Network referral guidelines, administering the form as part of regular mammography intake.  

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Bolstering insurance coverage more effective than adopting breast density notification laws

Statutes mandating payment for supplemental screening of dense breasts produced 6% lower odds of diagnosis at a regional stage. 

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Healthcare professionals face significantly higher risk of breast cancer diagnosis than other women

The finding is part of a longitudinal study incorporating more than 830,000 women, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 

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Women with benign breast disease after surgery ‘significantly’ less likely to follow annual imaging surveillance

That's according to a new analysis out of Johns Hopkins University, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

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Breast cancer screening numbers aren’t bouncing back to pre-COVID levels for some imaging providers

A “substantial” deficit of missed mammography appointments is likely deepening disparities during the pandemic, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open. 

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Race is the most pronounced driver of delays in screening-detected breast cancer diagnosis

Black women were twice as likely to face delays greater than 45 days, and those experiencing this long lag were 1.6 times more likely to die, experts wrote in JACR. 

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Is structural racism preventing Black and Latina patients from receiving the best breast cancer care?

Researchers sought to answer this question using data from the Breast Cancer Care in Chicago study of patients treated at disproportionate share hospitals and other institutions.

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Around the web

Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging
AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.