Breast Density Notification Laws in the USA Found to Considerably Raise Costs Yet Save Few Lives
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 24 Dec 2014 |
Laws requiring supplemental ultrasound screening for women with dense breasts would significantly increase costs and save comparatively few lives, according to new research.
The study was conducted by investigators from a number of leading medical institutions worldwide, including the University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont, USA); Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA, USA); Albert Einstein School of Medicine (Bronx, NY, USA), and Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). They published their findings online December 9, 2014, in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
More than 50% of women between the ages of 40 and 74 have dense breast tissue, which puts them at increased risk for breast cancer and affects how well a mammogram can identify abnormalities. As such, at least 19 US states have enacted breast density notification laws so that women can make informed decisions about supplemental screening, such as ultrasound.
With similar legislation being considered at a national level, researchers sought to determine the benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of supplemental ultrasound screening for women with dense breasts. Three validated simulation models predicted that supplemental ultrasound screening after a negative mammogram for women with dense breasts would result in limited health gains and substantially increased expenses.
According to model estimates, supplemental screening for women with dense breasts and a negative mammogram would save 0.36 additional breast cancer deaths, gain 1.7 quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and result in 354 false-positive ultrasound biopsy recommendations per 1,000 women with dense breasts compared to biennial screening by mammography alone. The cost-effectiveness ratio was USD 325,000 per QALY gained, but costs could be improved by restricting supplemental ultrasound screening to women with extremely dense breasts.
Related Links:
University of Vermont
Harvard Medical School
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
The study was conducted by investigators from a number of leading medical institutions worldwide, including the University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont, USA); Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA, USA); Albert Einstein School of Medicine (Bronx, NY, USA), and Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). They published their findings online December 9, 2014, in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
More than 50% of women between the ages of 40 and 74 have dense breast tissue, which puts them at increased risk for breast cancer and affects how well a mammogram can identify abnormalities. As such, at least 19 US states have enacted breast density notification laws so that women can make informed decisions about supplemental screening, such as ultrasound.
With similar legislation being considered at a national level, researchers sought to determine the benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of supplemental ultrasound screening for women with dense breasts. Three validated simulation models predicted that supplemental ultrasound screening after a negative mammogram for women with dense breasts would result in limited health gains and substantially increased expenses.
According to model estimates, supplemental screening for women with dense breasts and a negative mammogram would save 0.36 additional breast cancer deaths, gain 1.7 quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and result in 354 false-positive ultrasound biopsy recommendations per 1,000 women with dense breasts compared to biennial screening by mammography alone. The cost-effectiveness ratio was USD 325,000 per QALY gained, but costs could be improved by restricting supplemental ultrasound screening to women with extremely dense breasts.
Related Links:
University of Vermont
Harvard Medical School
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
Latest Ultrasound News
- Diagnostic System Automatically Analyzes TTE Images to Identify Congenital Heart Disease
- Super-Resolution Imaging Technique Could Improve Evaluation of Cardiac Conditions
- First AI-Powered POC Ultrasound Diagnostic Solution Helps Prioritize Cases Based On Severity
- Largest Model Trained On Echocardiography Images Assesses Heart Structure and Function
- Groundbreaking Technology Enables Precise, Automatic Measurement of Peripheral Blood Vessels
- Deep Learning Advances Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging
- Novel Ultrasound-Launched Targeted Nanoparticle Eliminates Biofilm and Bacterial Infection
- AI-Guided Ultrasound System Enables Rapid Assessments of DVT
- Focused Ultrasound Technique Gets Quality Assurance Protocol
- AI-Guided Handheld Ultrasound System Helps Capture Diagnostic-Quality Cardiac Images
- Non-Invasive Ultrasound Imaging Device Diagnoses Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Wearable Ultrasound Platform Paves Way for 24/7 Blood Pressure Monitoring On the Wrist
- Diagnostic Ultrasound Enhancing Agent to Improve Image Quality in Pediatric Heart Patients
- AI Detects COVID-19 in Lung Ultrasound Images
- New Ultrasound Technology to Revolutionize Respiratory Disease Diagnoses
- Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Highly Useful For Interventions