Bassett: Breast imaging moves forward
CHICAGO, Nov. 28—During Tuesday’s Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology “Breast Imaging: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” at the 93rd annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Lawrence Bassett, MD, breast imaging section head at David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles provided a snapshot of current challenges and new directions in breast imaging.
After decades of controversy, breast imaging continues to face challenges, said Bassett. The media continues to question the efficacy of screening mammography and also promotes unproven technologies. At the same time, the breast imaging specialty must handle increasing regulation of mammography, legal threats, an ongoing shortage of breast imagers and turf battles with OB-Gyns and surgeons.
Bassett also pointed to recent accomplishment such as practice guidelines, the American College of Radiology (ACR) Commission on Breast Imaging, standardized reporting and evidence-based medicine. “Breast imaging is poised for a bright future,” concluded Bassett, who foresees an expanding role for breast imagers in disease management, advances in breast imaging technologies including digital mammography, ultrasound, CAD, breast MRI and breast tomosynthesis and renewed interest in breast imaging among residents.
After decades of controversy, breast imaging continues to face challenges, said Bassett. The media continues to question the efficacy of screening mammography and also promotes unproven technologies. At the same time, the breast imaging specialty must handle increasing regulation of mammography, legal threats, an ongoing shortage of breast imagers and turf battles with OB-Gyns and surgeons.
Bassett also pointed to recent accomplishment such as practice guidelines, the American College of Radiology (ACR) Commission on Breast Imaging, standardized reporting and evidence-based medicine. “Breast imaging is poised for a bright future,” concluded Bassett, who foresees an expanding role for breast imagers in disease management, advances in breast imaging technologies including digital mammography, ultrasound, CAD, breast MRI and breast tomosynthesis and renewed interest in breast imaging among residents.