ACR Members Discuss Mammography Expectations
While mammography continues to be the most reliable method for detecting breast cancer, a new study suggests that many American women had more confidence in mammography than they should. In fact, one third of respondents to a recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan did not disagree with a statement that said that a "mammogram can detect all breast cancers, even they are extremely small," according to a WebMD report on the CBS News Web site.
"The issue isn't that these cancers are small, but they are hard to see," noted ACR member Marilyn A. Roubidoux, MD, of Ann Arbor, Mich., in the article. "Some breast cancers just hide. You can't see a seagull in a cloudy sky."
ACR member Mary S. Newell, MD, assistant director of breast imaging at Emory University in Atlanta, said in the article that the survey results come as no surprise to her.
"I think we have oversold mammography to some degree," she said. "It is a good test. It has decreased breast cancer deaths in women who get annual screening, but it is not a perfect test. We need to be very upfront with people about that."
However, she added, "it is the best thing we have right now to ad in the detection of breast cancer. While it is not perfect, it does work."
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