Large Clinical Trial Shows Benefit of Digital Mammography

Digital mammography detected significantly (up to 28%) more cancers than screen film mammography in women 50 and younger, premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts, according to results from the ACRIN Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST).

However, the ACRIN trial, one of the largest breast cancer screening studies ever performed, showed no difference between digital and film mammography in detecting breast cancer for the general population of women. The results were reported September 16, 2005 in a special online publication of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the trial included researchers at 33 sites across the United States and Canada. Locally, Washington Radiology Associates (WRA) was the only radiology practice to participate in the study.

Nearly 2,000 women from DC, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland were enrolled in DMIST, according to Dr. Julianne Greenberg, mammography director at WRA and one of the 33 Principal Investigators. “We are proud to be a part of this landmark study representing women in our region," she explained. "The results of the DMIST trail will greatly benefit clinicians and patients, and we are confident that it will improve our ability to detect early, curable breast cancer in women."

Starting in October 2001, DMIST enrolled 49,528 women at 33 sites in the United States and Canada who had no signs of breast cancer. Women in the trial were given both digital and film mammograms. Mammograms were interpreted independently by two different radiologists. Breast cancer status of DMIST participants was determined through available breast biopsy information obtained within 15 months of study entry or through follow-up mammography approximately one year later.

The study showed that, for certain groups of women, digital mammography detected up to 28% more cancers than standard film mammography. These subgroups of women who benefit from digital mammography are women under age 50, premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts. A large percentage of women who undergo screening mammography may fall into one or more of these subgroups. In fact, in the DMIST trial, 65% of women were within at least one of these groups.

At present, only 8 percent of mammography units in the USA are digital systems, although this number is expected to increase over time. Washington Radiology currently offers digital mammography services at five area locations: in DC at 2141 K Street NW (near Washington Circle), at our two Virginia clinical offices in Sterling and Fairfax, and at our two Maryland offices in Bethesda and Chevy Chase.

The American College of Radiology recommends yearly screening mammography for all women beginning no later than age 40. Numerous clinical trials have shown that regular screening mammography reduces mortality from breast cancer and will often detect breast cancer when it is very early, so it can be successfully treated.

While most insurance companies cover digital mammography, always check with your insurance plan to verify coverage before any medical appointment.

For more information about digital mammography, click here.