Dear AuntMinnie Member,
A study published today by Dutch researchers indicates that mammography screening cut the death rate from breast cancer by half. Although the study's sample size was small, it could be an important new rejoinder to critics of population-based screening programs.
The researchers analyzed breast cancer mortality among women participating in the Dutch national screening program over seven years ending in 2003. They found that breast cancer mortality was 49% lower among women who underwent at least three breast screenings compared to those who didn't.
Today's findings come on the heels of several months of negative headlines regarding mammography's effectiveness, and presumably will give some ammunition to backers of breast screening.
Read all about it by clicking here, or visit our Women's Imaging Digital Community at women.auntminnie.com.
DR tomo reduces need for CT
In other news, a study from last week's RSNA 2011 meeting in Chicago found that digital chest tomosynthesis reduced the need for follow-up chest CT exams in patients with suspicious lung nodules.
Swedish researchers wanted to see if the improved visualization with tomosynthesis would make it possible to avoid chest CT, which is more expensive and delivers a higher radiation dose than digital radiography (DR).
They found that their hypothesis was correct; radiologists using the technology were able to rule out further studies based on the technique's findings. Could the research help digital tomo carve out a more substantial role in patient care? Find out by clicking here, or visit our Digital X-Ray Community at xray.auntminnie.com.
