The need for supplemental breast cancer screening modalities: a perspective of population-based breast cancer screening programs in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
This article discusses possible supplemental breast cancer screening modalities for younger women with dense breasts from a perspective of population-based breast cancer screening program in Japan.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplemental breast cancer screening modalities have been proposed to increase the sensitivity and detection rates of early stage breast cancer in women with dense breasts; however, there are no global guidelines that recommend the use of supplemental breast cancer screening modalities in such women. Also, no criterion standard exists for breast density assessment. Based on the current situation of breast imaging in Japan, the possible supplemental breast cancer screening modalities are ultrasonography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and breast magnetic resonance imaging. An appropriate population-based breast cancer screening program based on the balance between cost and benefit should be a high priority. Further research based on evidence-based medicine is encouraged. It is very important that the ethnicity, workforce, workflow, and resources for breast cancer screening in each country should be considered when considering supplemental breast cancer screening modalities for women with dense breasts.
Breast Imaging and Breast Intervention Section, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Naga-izumi, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan. t.uematsu@scchr.jp.
Takayoshi
T
Uematsu
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D000071060:Breast Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
Breast MRI; Breast cancer screening; Breast imaging; Breast ultrasonography; Digital breast tomosynthesis