A Risk-Based Approach for Triaging Mammography Examinations During Periods of Reduced Capacity

Christoph Lee, MD and Janie Lee, MD recently co-authored a study published in the JAMA Network Open which recommended a new method of triaging mammograms during periods of decreased capacity– such as pandemic surges, when individuals may also experience anxiety about COVID-19. The study’s findings suggest that a risk-based approach- prioritizing individuals most like ly to have cancer detected-  during periods of reduced capacity could result in detecting the most cancers while performing the fewest examinations, when compared with a non–risk-based approach. The analysis of approximately 2 million mammograms performed from 2014-2019 showed that 12% of mammograms with “very high” and “high” cancer detection rates accounted for 55% of detected cancers, while 44% of mammograms with “very low” cancer detection rates accounted for 13% of detected cancers.

Dr. Christoph Lee emphasized that “it is very important that individuals consult their clinician if they have any concerning breast symptoms, such as a new or changing lump and schedule their screening mammogram if they are overdue.”

You can read more about it here.