On the Frontline of Screening for Breast Cancer

The mainstay of screening for breast cancer is the mammogram. There are several randomized control trials that demonstrate a significant decrease in breast cancer mortality when compared to women without screening mammography included in their care. Digital mammography has improved detection in the dense breast. With the introduction of digital mammography, other novel techniques such as stereo digital mammography (SDM) and tomosynthesis can reduce recall significantly without a negative effect on cancer detection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound added to mammography can improve cancer detection for high-risk women but can have false positive consequences.