A report titled Implications of Overdiagnosis: Impact on Screening Mammography Practices, outlines the pros and cons of mammogram screening guidelines. The authors stated, “The key goal should not be less diagnosis but better information and improved treatment decision tools.”
The researchers used the results from a new imaging tool, called digital tomosynthesis, in several large-scale studies. The tomosynthesis technology takes high resolution 3D images of the breast to reduce false positives (also known as false recall). They were able to reduce the rates by 15 to 30 percent while also increasing the rates of cancer detection by 29 percent.
The went on to say, “This supplement contains a well-researched, balanced discussion of the evidence on a controversial topic – overdiagnosis as it relates to mammography screening practices – and presents a strong case for considering newer screening technologies as important tools for reducing the likelihood of overdiagnosis of breast cancer.”
Their report can be read for free online on the Population Health Management website.