Canadian Breast Screening Guidelines
News from Dense Breasts Canada, “For the past 8 years, DBC has consistently pushed for action on outdated and baised guidelines that limit access to lifesaving screenings and fail to incorporate expert input and the latest scientific evidence.” Change is now coming: Minister Michel welcomes External Expert Review report on the modernization of preventive health care guideline development in Canada
New Study
In a study funded by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, DenseBreast-info.org’s Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. Wendie Berg and colleagues report results on screening contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) combined with 3D mammography in 601 women at higher risk for breast cancer. All examinations were reviewed by two radiologists and all women had either cancer diagnosis or one-year follow-up.
- CEM doubled cancer detection.¹
- Cancers found by CEM were small and node negative.²
- False-positive recalls increased with addition of CEM.³
¹There were 12 women with cancer identified, with 6 of these identified on standard 3D mammograms (with one of these seen only by a second radiologist review), and 6 seen only on CEM (incremental cancer detection rate 10.0/1000, 95%CI 3.3, 18.3).
²Of the 6 cancers found only on CEM, 5 were invasive (including 3 lobular type), all node negative, with median size 0.7 cm.
³Of 589 women without breast cancer, 48 (8.1%) were recalled for additional testing based on standard 3D mammography. After combined CEM+3D, 127 (21.6%) were recalled, an absolute increase of 79/589 (13.4%).
For a video detailing more information about dense breasts and CEM at UPMC, including one of the participants in the study, see https://youtu.be/x2JXWti9sUI.
Read more about the study in AuntMinnie, CEM improves cancer detection when added to screening DBT exams
DBI in the News:
DenseBreast-info is the “go-to” resource for patients, providers, legislators, and the media. We have recently been asked for comment by several national outlets:
- New York Times: One Type of Mammogram Proves Better for Women With Dense Breasts
- Aunt Minnie: BRAID study shows promise for imaging dense breasts; experts sound off
- WebMD: Dense breast tissue can hide cancer: now what?
- SiriusXM Doctor Radio, listen to Dr Berg discuss dense breasts, supplemental screening and insurance issues, and provide more detailed info on CEM.