NCCPM

The aim of this study was to assess whether DBT could improve upon digital mammography (FFDM) as a screening tool, particularly in certain groups of women e.g. those with a family history of breast cancer, or women with dense breasts. Six UK National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) centres participated in the study and recruited a total of 7000 women over a 15-18 month period. Women (aged 47-73) who had been recalled to an assessment clinic following abnormal screening mammography and women (aged 40-49) with a family history of breast cancer attending annual mammography underwent both a standard digital mammogram and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) imaging. The diagnostic accuracy of the two sets of images was compared in an independent retrospective reading study.

An NHS Health Technology Assessment Grant of £1.6m was awarded to Professor Fiona Gilbert at Aberdeen University to conduct a clinical evaluation of digital breast tomosynthesis.

Professor Young was a joint applicant and had a particular role in organising the quality control of the six clinical systems at sites across the UK – one of which was the Jarvis Breast Screening Centre in Guildford under the leadership of Dr Julie Cooke.