Data points to no age-related cutoff for mammogram screenings | RSNA 2016 Roundup

There is no clear cut-off age to stop breast cancer screening, according to new data from the largest-ever study on mammogram screening outcomes. Data from the study was presented this week at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting. Age-based cutoffs for screenings have been a source of controversy for many years in the healthcare field. Results from the massive study, however, support guidelines that support making breast cancer screening decisions based on individual patients and health status over a specific age, according to study researchers. Data in the study came from over 5.6 million mammogram screenings performed over 7 years between January 2008 and December 2014 and across 150 facilities in 31 U.S. states. Patient demographic data, mammography and biopsy results were considered in the analysis, with over 2.5 million women over 40 in the study. A total of 4 standard performance metrics were used to evaluate the data at each age group, including cancer detection rate, recall rate, positive predictive value for biopsies and biopsies performed. The mean rate of cancer detection was clocked at 3.74 per 1,000 patients, with a recall rate of 10%, positive predictive value of recommended biopsies at 20% and for biopsies performed at 29%. In considering age between 40 and 80 years, metrics showed a gradualte upward trend in terms of cancer detection rate and biopsy prediction rate, but a downward trend in recall rate. “All prior randomized, c...
Source: Mass Device - Category: Medical Equipment Authors: Tags: Imaging Oncology Radiological Society of North America Source Type: news