AMIC says new JAMA study underscores value of 3D mammography

Washington, D.C. – The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) today said that a study in the June 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) underscores the value of ongoing research toward improved methods of detecting and treating invasive cancer.

“This study offers further evidence that improved diagnostics can more precisely detect breast cancers and avoid unnecessary care,” said Tim Trysla, executive director of AMIC. “With continued advances in diagnostic technology, and the ability of these technologies to help patients avoid more extensive, or often more expensive treatment, it’s essential to protect patients’ access to imaging so they can live longer and healthier lives.”

The study, which included data from a variety of practice types, found that adding 3D mammography to traditional digital mammography screening is associated with an increase in detection of invasive cancer, while reducing the number of false positives by 15 percent.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. In 2014 alone, an estimated 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, 40,000 of whom will die from the disease.

AMIC has long supported patient access to life-saving, evidence-based diagnostics while opposing additional Medicare reimbursement cuts to diagnostic medical imaging technologies, which impair the value that early detection brings to patient care.

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The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition represents physicians, medical providers, and patient organizations throughout the U.S. It also includes health technology firms that manufacture imaging equipment and supplies and that employ tens of thousands of workers. Thus, AMIC represents those who develop medical imaging technologies, those who apply it, and those who benefit from it.