Where a Mammography is Done Makes a Difference
Reported June 16, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) With all of the factors that have been studied to determine whats involved in evaluating the accuracy of breast cancer screening, one has been left out. New research examining the facility itself fills in the blank.
An observational study from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., shows substantial accuracy differences in key areas between mammography facilities. The likelihood that a mammogram would be correctly read as cancer free was one area and the other was the likelihood of cancer being present among women who were referred for biopsy or additional evaluation. Variation between in identifying existing cancers was low.
When it comes to reading a facility, high accuracy seems to go hand in hand with offering diagnostic and screening mammograms rather than screening only. Facilities that had a breast-imaging specialist reading the mammograms proved to be more accurate than those that did not.
Previous studies on mammogram accuracy looked at the patients characteristics and those of the radiologist reading it. It is hoped that this study, which was lead by Stephen Taplin, MD, will help women choose better practices and places to get their mammograms.
SOURCE: Journal of the National Institute of Cancer, June 10, 2008