Consideration of Tomosynthesis Now Recommended for Breast Cancer Screening

Posted by Lewisville / Flower Mound Oncology on June 23rd, 2017

While routine mammography remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening, a relatively new advancement is gaining ground. For the first time ever, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN for short, is recommending doctors consider tomosynthesisfor patients. This alternative to a routine mammogram provides more detailed images and is also strongly recommended for women with dense breast tissue. The NCCN is now suggesting this screening be considered for women who are in the average- to increased-risk groups.

Standard digital mammograms create a single image of overlapping tissue. Much like X-rays, the resulting images are flat and may not provide critical insights about the presence of cancer in all cases, especially when dense breast tissue is a concern. Tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D mammography, results in multiple small images of the breast tissue that are created as a scanner moves in an arc. The end result is a more-detailed, dimensional representation of the breast. The 3-D mammogram has been shown to be highly effective at detecting lesions that standard mammograms may have missed. Basically, the test makes it easier for clinicians to see inside breast tissue.

The NCCN’s decision to suggest doctors consider tomosynthesis has the potential to be very good news for women. While many imaging centers across the country do have this technology available, its use hasn’t been widely covered by insurance. The NCCN’s recommendation guidelines, however, could make this technology more widely accessible. The U.S. Preventative Services Trask Force has yet to make a similar recommendation, which could serve as a roadblock for more widespread acceptance by insurance companies.

While insurance coverage may not be available for tomosynthesis, the test has performed very well in numerous studies. It has consistently shown a 40- to near 70-percent increase in the detection of invasive cancers.

Women with dense breast tissue and other concerns that put them at higher risk for breast cancer may want to talk with their doctors about the benefits tomosynthesis may provide. This routine screening tool may pave the way for better detection of invasive cancers that other tools might miss.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 252,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the coming year. Since all women are at risk for this disease, it is considered very important for women to talk openly with their doctors about their personal risks. Routines mammograms should generally start in a woman’s 40s. Women who are at higher risk for this disease may find that screening recommendations differ for them. 

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Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group, a division of Choice Cancer Care – is an independently owned and operated oncology practice that is completely focused on unique, comprehensive patient care.