New York Times Examines Radiologists' Transition To Digital Mammograms

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 14 Apr 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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An increasing number of women undergoing breast cancer screenings are being recalled for additional testing as radiologists are learning to interpret new digital mammograms after switching from traditional X-ray tests, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, 32% of mammography clinics have at least one digital machine, compared with 10% of mammography clinics two years ago.

Some radiologists have said that digital mammograms allow the magnifier contrast and magnification to potentially "see things that were blurry or maybe even invisible" in traditional X-rays, but they add that "it takes time to learn the ropes" of the new technology. Radiologists often have had difficulty reconciling the differences between digital and film mammograms, and radiologists who are retraining their eyes and minds might be more likely to "play it safe" by requesting additional X-rays, ultrasound exams or biopsies for women who end up not having breast cancer, the Times reports.

Margarita Zuley, director of breast imaging at Magee-Womens Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said it can take six months to a year to learn how to interpret the new digital images. Leonard Glassman -- a radiologist at Washington Radiology Associates in Washington, D.C. -- said, "There's an increase in the rate of things you think are abnormal for about three months, and then you get used to it."

According to the Times, more radiologists are requesting digital mammography machines because the technology is better at finding tumors in women with dense breast tissue. The Times reports that digital mammograms' "increased clarity" eventually could lead to fewer healthy women being recalled for additional testing (Grady, New York Times, 4/10).

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