Dear Women's Imaging Insider,
Could ultrasound be used as a primary screening method for breast cancer? A new systematic review found ultrasound and mammography had comparable sensitivity and specificity for detecting breast cancer. Based on their findings, the authors called for more research into ultrasound-first breast screenings. Read more in this edition's Insider Exclusive.
In other news, the Women's Imaging Community has been filled with new stories about the benefits of MRI for women's imaging. One study in Clinical Radiology found contrast-enhanced MRI can help less experienced radiologists identify implantation sites of ectopic pregnancy, while new research in PLOS Biology described how MRI helped researchers discover a new type of contraction during pregnancy.
Yet another new study found a promising MRI protocol for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) resulted in better image quality and improved signal-to-noise ratio for breast lesions. The protocol splits a single-shot image acquisition into multiple shots, reducing MRI's sensitivity to motion. One day, it may be able to keep DWI image quality consistent while cutting down on MRI scan time.
Finally, the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) was one of many prominent medical imaging and radiology oncology societies to publish comments condemning racial injustice after protests erupted following the May 25 death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. In a social media statement, the SBI stated it "stands in solidarity with our colleagues, patients, and friends, and will continue to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all."
It seems like an appropriate time to remember that studies have repeatedly found black women in the U.S. often experience worse health outcomes. Just looking at breast cancer, black women are at a higher risk of breast cancer death, have a higher risk of breast cancer reoccurrence, and wait longer for breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy.
The reasons behind these statistics are complex, but no doubt these differences reflect at least in part the structural barriers to medical care for black and minority Americans. I'm hoping the commitments made by the SBI and other prominent societies lead to actionable changes that reduce healthcare disparities.
