3-D X-ray mammography using Hologics Inc system improves diagnosis of Breast Cancer

A new study found that the addition of three dimensional (3D) mammography (breast tomosynthesis) screening technology, from Hologic inc, to a 2D breast screening exam significantly increased Breast Cancer detection while reducing the number of false positives. The researchers using Hologic's 3D mammography technology in combination with a 2D mammogram found a significant increase in cancer detection rates, particularly for invasive cancers, and a simultaneous decrease in false-positive rates compared with 2D mammography alone. Significant findings include: a 40% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers, a 27% increase in the detection of all cancers (invasive and in situ cancers combined), and a 15% decrease in false-positive rates.

The increase in cancer detection was found across all breast tissue densities, from dense to fatty. At the same time, there was no increase in the detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is non-invasive and cited by critics of mammography screening as potentially being over-diagnosed. Results were published in Radiology. See: "Comparison of Digital Mammography Alone and Digital Mammography Plus Tomosynthesis in a Population-based Screening Program" Per Skaane et al. Radiology 121373; January 7, 2013, doi:10.1148/radiol.12121373