ACR Statement Regarding the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST) Results
The American College of Radiology (ACR) is pleased and encouraged that advances in digital technology hold the promise to improve our ability to detect cancers and potentially save lives, particularly in groups of women for which standard mammography has traditionally been less effective.
The ACR is proud of the efforts put forth by Etta Pisano, MD, FACR, the study investigators, and everyone at the ACR's diagnostic imaging clinical research entity, the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), regarding the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST).
However, as the DMIST investigators themselves have stressed at every opportunity, for tens of millions of women, screen-film mammography is equally effective as digital. Women should continue to receive annual mammograms even if, at present, the new digital technology is not available in their communities.
Various clinical trials have shown at least a 33% reduction in mortality that can be directly attributed to standard mammography. Screen-film mammography has been credited with saving thousand of lives since Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act in 1992.
Women and their physicians should keep in mind that the technology used to perform mammography is only one part of the overall exam process. Women should continue to have their mammograms performed at the facility in which they have been comfortable and to have their mammograms read by the radiologist who has previously earned their confidence.
The public can rest assured that members of the American College of Radiology remain fully committed to exploring the role of digital mammography in providing life-saving breast imaging services.
Click here for Patient Q & A.
To read the ACRIN announcement, click here.