Is screening with 3-D mammography worth the additional cost?

A new study led by Kathryn Lowry, MD and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that shifting breast cancer screening from digital mammography to digital breast tomosynthesis (also known as 3-D mammography) reduced recall rates, but achieved only modest improvements in reducing breast cancer deaths.

“There are clear benefits to screening with DBT compared to screening with conventional mammography,” Lowry states. “The additional costs incurred relative to these benefits are high compared with commonly accepted thresholds (for determining cost-effectiveness), although the use of 3-D mammography could be cost-effective at lower reimbursement rates.”

Read the full article from AuntMinnie.com here.