BreastScreen Victoria pilot trial of the feasibility and outcomes of tomosynthesis (3D mammography) screening at Eastern Health

BreastScreen Victoria in partnership with the University of Sydney and Eastern Health, conducted Australia’s first population-based pilot trial of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), also known as 3D mammography, to explore its potential use in population-based breast cancer screening programs.  

Currently, 2D mammography is the standard screening method used in the BreastScreen Australia Program.

DBT (3D mammography) takes multiple low-dose x-ray images taken from a range of angles and creates a layered view of the breast. This technique may improve the accuracy of screening by making it easier to detect cancers and reduce false negatives and false positives.  

The pilot trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of 2D and 3D mammography in detecting breast cancer, assess the frequency at which women are recalled for further testing, and evaluate the feasibility of integrating 3D mammography into the current screening program.

Outcome

The pilot trial demonstrated:

DBT improved breast cancer detection at screening¹.

DBT was acceptable to clients with only 5 % opting not to have DBT¹

It took significantly longer for radiologists to read and interpret 3D images compared to standard 2D mammograms. This increase in reading time could lead to challenges in scaling up the technique across the BreastScreen Program¹.

At longer follow-up of trial participants (to allow counting of interval cancers) DBT had higher screening sensitivity than standard mammography²

This pilot trial^1-2 has informed implementation of the Hybrid Digital Tomosynthesis Trial at Maroondah BreastScreen, which explores a hybrid 3D and 2D imaging approach that aims to improve cancer detection while maintaining efficient screen reading times.  

Publications

Lead researchers

Professor Nehmat Houssami
Professor of Public Health and NBCF Chair in Cancer Prevention, The University of Sydney. 
Dr Darren Lockie
Clinical Director, Maroondah BreastScreen, Eastern Health

Partners

BreastScreen Victoria

The University of Sydney

Eastern Health

Funding

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)

Tomosynthesis pilot trial at Eastern Health