Breast cancer deaths have declined by almost 20 percent over the past decade. Better screening has made a huge difference.
Today’s mammograms allow doctors to “see” an abnormal breast mass up to two years before they can feel it. It’s the gold standard for detecting breast cancer — but even a gold standard can get better.
Breast tomosynthesis, or 3-D mammography, was approved by the FDA in 2011. It allows doctors to find cancer even earlier and with more accuracy than traditional 2-D mammograms. Early study results of 25,000 women saw a 47 percent increase in cancer detection when tomosynthesis was used.
A version of 3-D mammography is currently in clinical trials at Cleveland Clinic, but not available yet to all patients. Experts expect 3-D to replace 2-D in the not-too-distant future.
Innovations in healthcare
What other innovations will come?
Every year, Cleveland Clinic asks that question of more than 110 of its physicians and researchers. Read about the next innovation relating to aortic aneurysms.