Following imaging with full-field digital mammography, radiologists’ visual inspection paired with clinical BI-RADS breast-density scores has bested both fully automated and semiautomated computer-assisted methods at distinguishing between 125 breast-cancer patients and 274 control subjects.

Numerous studies have shown that poor patient positioning is a common culprit when screening mammography quality is suboptimal. New research shows that technologists who get more training in positioning than is mandated tend to acquire high-quality images more consistently than those who don’t.

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) has proven a useful secondary screening tool for women with dense breasts when routinely deployed at a large, community-based breast imaging center. 

Digital mammography combined with digital breast tomosynthesis is better than digital mammography alone at finding cancers and reducing recall rates. But another combo has now proven just as good at detection, better at cutting recalls and especially impressive at reducing radiation dose. 

Average-risk women with low breast density who get screened for breast cancer every three years share a trait in common with higher-risk women with high breast density who get screened every year. Both groups will maintain a similar or better balance of benefits and harms than average-risk women who get screened every other year.

Adding annual screening tomosynthesis to 2D mammography beginning at age 40 is cost-effective compared with 2D mammography alone, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the American Journal of Roentgenology. 

An expert review panel incorporating input from three of the top national cancer organizations is recommending a 2-mm rim of healthy tissue for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast radiation therapy. 

Participants in the Digital Mammography DREAM Challenge are trying to do their part to contribute to the nationwide goal of completing 10 years of cancer research in half the time. It’s funded under the Cancer Moonshot’s Coding4Cancer initiative—pitting coding teams against each other in a friendly fight to see who can come up with the best way to improve mammogram readings.