Accuracy of Breast Cancer Screening Using Film Mammography in Comparison to Digital Mammography

Abstract

Aim of the work: digital mammography may achieve better images than does film mammography in young women, especially those who are less than 50 years old, where breast is characterized by dense breast tissue. This review aimed to compare the accuracy of screening using film mammography versus digital mammography in detection of breast cancer. Methods: an electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE by using PubMed search engine. The search resulted in 48 relevant studies, then after exclusion of duplicated and studies with different outcomes only 4 studies found eligible to be included in this review. The data were extracted using data extraction tables. Results: the search resulted in four potentially relevant studies that reported clinical trials on a comparison between breast cancer screenings using film mammography versus digital mammography. Conclusions: the digital mammography offers advantages over film mammography namely, easier access to images and computer assisted diagnosis, improved means of transmission, retrieval and storage of images; and the use of a lower average dose of radiation without a compromise in diagnostic accuracy