Trial to inform BreastScreen
Australia on potential future
use of 3D mammography
Kylie Whetton, Communications Manager, Australia/New Zealand
Maroondah BreastScreen is responsible for the provision of mammography screening
and assessment services to women living in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is one
of eight reading and assessment services within BreastScreen Victoria—an accredited
part of the national breast cancer screening program, jointly funded by state and federal
governments. It provides all clinical services from the initial screening mammogram to any
further procedures required to the point of diagnosis. Maroondah BreastScreen employs
a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, including radiologists, radiographers,
surgeons, pathologists, and nurse/counsellors, who are highly trained in the detection
and assessment of the early signs of breast cancer. Images are read from multiple sites
in the catchment area, including those visited by the Mobile Screening Service, and
where necessary assessment is conducted for all women in their region. Annually it
performs around 2,000 mammographic assessments from the screening population.
The BreastScreen service forms an important part of the integrated breast service
and centre of excellence in diagnosis and treatment of breast conditions located at
Maroondah Hospital, Victoria.
Commitment to research
Maroondah BreastScreen is conducting a stand
alone research trial to evaluate the role of 3D
mammography in breast screen assessment and
to determine whether it can replace other more
traditional mammography views and reduce
the number of benign biopsies. Designated
radiologist Dr Darren Lockie says: “We have
so far seen about six clients for whom 3D
mammography has detected malignant change
that was not the primary reason for assessment.
A tumour was detected coincidently. This has
been the case for both single focus lesions and
those with multiple foci.”
Four of its radiologists and four of its radiographers
are involved in the project. At present, the research
is focussing on the diagnostic component at the
14 | IMPACT APRIL 2014
assessment clinic. All women, regardless of
breast density or lesion type, who require
assessment for any screen-detected abnormality,
are invited to participate in the trial and after
details are provided on informed consent, they
can choose to opt in or out. For those clients
who opt in to the trial, 3D mammography is
incorporated as part of their normal work-up
process followed by standard focal compression
views. If a client opts out, they receive standard
2D FFDM plus focal compres-sion views. Both
groups then move on to further tests, such as
ultrasound or biopsy, depending on the outcome
of mammographic assessment and clinical need.
Dr Lockie reports that over 300 women have
been recruited into the trial. “Prior to the trial,
we had already used 3D mammography on
approximately 100 women, so over 400 women
have undergone 3D mammography procedures at
Maroondah BreastScreen to date. Approximately
90% of women who come to the clinic are opting
into the trial. This is about 10 women per clinic.
Depending on the outcome of the trial, it may be
that 3D mammography has a role for all women
who require assessment