Effect of age on breast cancer screening using tomosynthesis in combination with digital mammography

Purpose To determine the effect of tomosynthesis imaging as a function of age for breast cancer screening. Methods Screening performance metrics from 13 institutions were examined for 12 months prior to introduction of tomosynthesis (period 1) and compared to those after introduction of tomosynthesis (period 2, range 3–22 months). Screening metrics for women ages 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ , included rates per 1000 screens for recalls, biopsies, cancers, and invasive cancers detected. Results Performance parameters were compared for women screened with digital mammography alone ( n = 278,908) and digital mammography + tomosynthesis ( n = 173,414). Addition of tomosynthesis to digital mammography produced significant reductions in recall rates for all age groups and significant increases in cancer detection rates for women 40–69. Largest recall rate reduction with tomosynthesis was for women 40–49, decreasing from 137 (95% CI 117–156) to 115 (95% CI 95–135); difference, −22 (95% CI −26 to −18; P