Dear Women's Imaging Insider,
To assess screening mammography's effectiveness, a long follow-up period after screening begins is crucial; however, trend studies with adequate follow-up are scarce. So a new study out of the Netherlands is a welcome addition.
The researchers assessed the effect of population-based screening on breast cancer mortality rates using a long follow-up of 20 years after the start of nationwide screening and approximately 10 years after extending screening from age 69 to age 74. What did they find? How much does mammography reduce breast cancer mortality rates? Read more.
Speaking of breast cancer screening, Austrian researchers found mammography is associated with a 28% decrease in risk for breast cancer in cases with a tumor size greater than 21 mm. Results also demonstrated a 17% decrease in risk for advanced breast cancer.
A new study from the Lancet found inequalities exist in the healthcare of Israeli Jews and Arabs. For instance, Arab women are less likely to participate in breast cancer screening programs and, therefore, are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Find out more.
Tests of a prototype photon-counting detector breast CT scanner show the system could be useful as an adjunct to low-dose breast CT by separating the energy levels of different types of materials within the breast to assess tissue composition and improve cancer diagnosis.
A leading pediatric radiologist from Liverpool, U.K., Dr. Helen Carty passed away recently at the age of 72. She was a world expert in imaging of child abuse, the president of ECR 2004, and a gold medalist at ECR 2009. Did you know her? Leave a comment at the end of the article or in our Forums.
Also in your Women's Imaging Community, award-winning research from Portugal found that, when integrated with prior clinical evaluation and exclusion of organic disease, pelvic MRI can play an invaluable role in the diagnosis, therapeutic guidance, and follow-up of pelvic floor dysfunction disorders. Read more.
That's only the tip of the iceberg, so be sure to head on over to the Women's Imaging Community to scope out more news. And as always, I enjoy hearing from you, so contact me anytime.
