Results of research coming out of the University of Manchester and University of Aberdeen and Cancer Research UK have found that computer-aided detection (CAD) in mammography can significantly help radiologists with readings. The scientists’ results were published in the latest Radiology:
The researchers took more than 10 000 mammograms that had previously each been read by two radiologists. These were then read again by a single radiologist, who was prompted by the computer to double-check suspicious areas for any abnormalities.
The results showed that the cancer detection rate by a single reader using CAD was at least as good as that when the films were originally read by two readers.
The mammograms studied were from 1996, so that all cancers that developed subsequently in the group of women could be included, and no action was taken as a result of the radiologists’ decisions.
Dr Caroline Boggis, Consultant Radiologist at the Nightingale Breast Centre in Manchester said: “The results of this first trial are very encouraging, and we have just started a new study to confirm that the results of using CAD are still as good when used in real decision-making in the breast screening programme.”
This new trial will involve 30,000 women in Manchester, Coventry and Nottingham. Most of the women will have the single reading with CAD in addition to their routine double-reading. Radiographers and radiologists have been fully trained to use the CAD system, and a second opinion will always be available if they are any uncertainties.
Here’s an example of a CAD system featured previously: Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) Mammography by iCAD
The press release by University of Manchester…