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Adding tomosynthesis to biennial digital mammography screening for women with dense breasts may improve breast cancer detection at a reasonable cost, relative to biennial mammography screening alone, according to a new study. 

As of now, mammography remains the only screening test proven to decrease mortality from breast cancer. However, it is less accurate in women with dense breasts for whom cancers may be masked by overlapping breast tissue, the press release said.

"Screening MRI is the most sensitive breast imaging test, but is also more expensive, requires intravenous contrast injection and is currently reserved for screening women at high risk for breast cancer," said Christoph I. Lee, M.D., assistant professor in the Departments of Radiology Health Services at the University of Washington, in the press release. "Digital breast tomosynthesis, in contrast to MRI, may offer operational and ease-of-use advantages since it is an integrated part of newer generation mammography units."

"Our analysis, using currently available data, provides women, physicians, payers and policymakers in the U.S. with much needed information regarding the comparative effectiveness of combined mammography and tomosynthesis screening relative to mammography screening alone." 

The study has been published online in the journal Radiology.