Oct 3, 2008 9:48 pm US/Eastern
Computer Program Helps Diagnose Breast Cancer
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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CAD has extremely complex software, capable of picking up fine abnormalities on the mammogram. Many of them can't be picked up by the human eye.
Diagnosing breast cancer is getting easier thanks to a new computer program. It essentially acts as a second set of eyes for doctors who have to make the diagnosis. The program spots cancer by searching for asymmetries and complications, must like a radiologist.
A new study found Computer-Aided Detection, or CAD, is just as effective as two radiologists examining the same picture. Like a spell checker looking for mistakes, the program flags suspicious areas.
CAD has extremely complex software, capable of picking up fine abnormalities on the mammogram. Many of them can't be picked up by the human eye.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women 40-years-old and over. But experts say there are simply not enough radiologists to give every exam two readings. So Computer-Aided Detection is the next best thing, and may even be better.
However, there are down-sides. The program is incredibly sensitive; it also picks up many benign areas that would normally be overlooked. That could mean extra trips to the operating room for biopsies, which could get time-consuming and become costly. Many doctors say the program just can't replace an experienced eye.
The radiologist makes the final decisions, no matter what.
CAD is currently used for at third of mammograms, but doctors expect more hospitals to start using the computer program as mammograms switch from film to digital images.
Digital mammograms are good tests, but not perfect. Both techniques miss two out of every ten tumors, and studies show those digital images have many more false positives.
The results depend on who is reading the test, some are good and others are bad. From center to center and state to state is varies. We're fortunate in South Florida to have wonderful radiologists at most center. Some of them studied the computer software right here.
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