Can Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) Reduce the Number of Benign Biopsies for Calcifications Without Negatively Impacting on Detection/Diagnosis of Clinically Significant Calcifications

Overview

Women who attend for their screening mammogram will be recalled if an abnormality is detected on the screening mammogram. Calcifications account for 20% of the women recalled to second stage screening. Currently there is no effective imaging tool to determine if the calcifications are cancer or not. Therefore, 90% of women will be subjected to a biopsy. 25-30% of the biopsies will show cancer. Contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is where contrast is given and then a mammogram performed. The theory is that high risk DCIS and invasive cancers have an increased blood supply and will therefore enhance more than benign lesions within the breast. If CESM can identify calcifications that are cancerous then we maybe able to reduce the number of women who have benign biopsies. This is patient focused as women would not require a biopsy and be able to be reassured at the same visit. This is also a cost-saving for the Trust by reducing unnecessary biopsies. This also supports the findings of the Marmot review by aiming to reduce harm by over-diagnosis.

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