Date of Award
8-1-2017
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Liane E. Philpotts, MD, FSBI, FACR
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, accounting for 25% of cancer diagnoses and 15.4% of cancer deaths in developed countries. Thus, early detection of breast cancer through screening has become increasingly important in mortality reduction efforts. Yet, mammography has faced considerable controversy in balancing the benefits and harms associated with screening. Digital breast tomosynthesis has emerged as an important imaging technique which, compared to standard mammography alone, reduces recall rates and false positives, and improves cancer detection. Additional cancers detected with tomosynthesis have been poorly characterized in the literature to date. To assess the effectiveness of screening with adjunct tomosynthesis, we propose to utilize our large database to characterize cancers detected in true positive recalls. Our findings will help clinicians make well-informed decisions for further management of women with mammographically suspicious or inconclusive findings, and contribute to future screening guidelines.
Recommended Citation
Giwerc, Michelle Y., "Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Outcomes and Tumor Characteristics in Women Recalled From Screening" (2017). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 44.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/44