Digital mammography more accurate in certain women

Article

Preliminary results from a large clinical trial comparing digital to conventional film mammography are in: While both methods can detect breast cancer equally well in the general population, digital mammography is better suited for women younger than 50 years, those who are pre- or perimenopausal (i.e., have had a menstrual period within the last 12 months), and those with dense breasts—a population at higher risk for breast cancer.

Preliminary results from a large clinical trial comparing digital to conventional film mammography are in: While both methods can detect breast cancer equally well in the general population, digital mammography is better suited for women younger than 50 years, those who are pre- or perimenopausal (i.e., have had a menstrual period within the last 12 months), and those with dense breasts-a population at higher risk for breast cancer.

Researchers provided both digital and film mammography to almost 50,000 asymptomatic women at 33 sites in the United States and Canada. While the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods in the entire population was similar, the accuracy of digital mammography was significantly higher than that of film mammography in women younger than 50 years, women with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts on mammography, and pre- or perimenopausal women.

Digital mammography provides the additional advantages of easier access to and transmission, retrieval, and storage of images; it also uses a lower average dose of radiation. Issues of cost-effectiveness and effect on patient quality-of-life via a reduction in false-positive results will be assessed and reported at a later date.

Recent Videos
Revi System shows efficacy against urgency urinary incontinence | Image Credit: ics.org.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Researchers highlight risks of breastfeeding while taking Levetiracetam | Image Credit: uwaterloo.ca.
Ipek Ensari, PhD, highlights improved mental health in chronic pelvic pain from physical activity | Image Credit: scholars.mssm.edu
New pSNM system empowers patients in urge urinary incontinence treatment | Image Credit: trinityhealthmichigan.org.
Jannah Thompson, MD, highlights battery free device for UUI management | Image Credit: trinityhealthmichigan.org
Anietie Aliu, PhD, highlights racial barriers to breast cancer screening | Image Credit: bbc.com.
Anietie Aliu, PhD, discusses how to improve breast cancer screening disparities | Image Credit: bbc.com
Jennifer Payne, MD, highlights how to help young women with perimenopause symptoms | Image Credit: uvahealth.com/findadoctor.
Perimenopausal symptoms in young women discussed by Jennifer Payne, MD | Image Credit: uvahealth.com/findadoctor.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.