New technology at Cary Medical Center is giving the hospital’s radiology team an extra ‘pair of eyes’ to help identify suspicious findings on mammograms. Called computer-aided detection, or CAD, equipment and software has recently been installed in Cary’s Imaging Services Department that converts mammography film into digital images. This almost instant process allows the radiologist — a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases by using medical imaging techniques — to more easily detect breast abnormalities. About 30 percent of mammograms in the United States are being interpreted using CAD technology according to The National Cancer Institute.
Contributed photo
Dr. Shawn Laferriere, Cary Medical Center Chief of Radiology, demonstrates how CAD technology is used to exam mammography images.
The use of CAD technology does not affect the patient’s experience during the mammogram procedure, which is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast to determine the health of breast tissue. It’s only after the mammogram is taken that the CAD equipment is used to scan the X-ray film to turn it into a digital picture. After the digitization of the mammography film, the sophisticated CAD software detects and marks any areas of abnormalities, essentially serving as an electronic second opinion.
“We still thoroughly review every film to make an interpretation of the mammogram,” said Dr. Shawn Laferriere, Cary Medical Center chief of radiology. “But now, with the help of CAD technology, we effectively have a second ‘reader’ that is not only trained to identify suspicious breast masses and calcifications, but does so without ever getting tired.” When CAD detects a ‘region of interest’, the area is highlighted on the computer screen. The radiologist can then quickly and easily zoom in on the area to more closely exam the tissue and compare it to film. Not all abnormalities detected by CAD are cancerous; calcifications, cysts, benign tumors, and other irregularities can also be seen. It is the radiologist’s responsibility to determine whether or not further diagnostic testing is necessary based on their professional interpretation of the film and CAD images, as well as the patient’s medical history and risk factors. The American College of Radiology considers CAD to be a valuable instrument to aid in the early detection of breast cancer when used for screening or diagnostic film screen mammography.
Each year, more than 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States with Maine having among the highest incidence rates in the nation. “Mammography has long been the best tool available for the early detection of breast cancer. But the reality is that sometimes tumors may not be seen on a mammogram or felt during a breast exam,” said Laferriere. “Thanks to medical advancements like CAD, however, we are able to obtain more detailed images and information to help us make the most accurate diagnosis. It serves as a safety net for physicians and provides peace of mind for our patients.” Estimates by the Food and Drug Administration suggest that the use of CAD could increase breast cancer early detection rates by as much as 23.4 percent.
The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 or older have a mammogram every one to two years and women who are at a higher than average risk of breast cancer seek expert medical advice about whether they should have a mammogram before age 40 and more frequently. For more information about mammography services at Cary Medical Center, call 207-498-1615.
