Correct position helps mammogram detect cancer

[Guest guest]

Correct position helps mammogram detect cancer

NEW YORK, Mar 27 (Reuters Health) - Correct positioning of the body

during mammogram screening can increase the likelihood of identifying

invasive breast cancers, according to researchers.

In their study, Dr. H. Taplin from the Group Health ative

and the University of Washington, both in Seattle, and colleagues looked

at women aged 40 or older who were screened for breast cancer between

1988 and 1993.

About 492 women had cancer detected by a routine mammogram, while 164

had their cancer detected sometime outside of routine screening.

The researchers went back and looked at mammograms taken before the

cancer diagnosis. They found that the chances of missing a cancer were

twice as high if the body position was incorrect during the screening

procedure.

Since that time, researchers have learned more about the best body

positions required to detect cancer, the authors note in the April issue

of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

" Proper positioning depends on cooperation between the technologist and

the patient during the screening, " Taplin said in a statement. " When the

technologist asks a women to lean in so more of her breast can be seen

on the film, it really does make a difference, " he added.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. A. from The Mount Sinai

School of Medicine in New York notes that the study should " encourage

efforts to further ensure proper image quality in (each of our own

radiology) practices and around our nation. "

SOURCE: American Journal of Roentgenology 2002;178:797-803, 805-807.