BreastScreen VIC trial results - 3D mammos have significantly higher cancer detection rate than 2D

Absolutely, @kmakm - well said!

It's been doing my head in all afternoon!!

Those are weasel words. We are constantly being told that early detection saves lives. The logic is faulty.

I simply don't understand why they can't come out and say something like "With better detection we stand a greater chance of saving lives and reducing the severity of breast cancer treatments. We recognise that this would also reduce the strain on those diagnosed and their loved ones, as well as ultimately saving money. Unfortunately in a health system that has severe financial constraints it will be some time before we can provide tomosynthesis at all sites. We will continue to look at further studies of this technology with great interest, and in the hope of building an even more compelling case to achieve full funding for provision of 3D mammography to all of Australia."

It makes me want to tear out my hair with frustration.

Hmmm - So if 3D Tomosynthesis actually PREVENTS mortality/deaths by discovering the tumours early, with less invasive surgery & treatments - how do they actually decide that mortality has been decreased? (Unless it is because they continue NOT treating women early & not improving their longevity .....)  It sort of sounds like 'damned if you do, damned if you don't?'  Also - 'how long is a piece of string'?  Altho you know it is 'long enough' (ie good enough!) if it does the job & that is to improve longevity ie living! 

Using 3D & ultrasound to confirm earlier lesions - which would automatically show increased longevity/saving lives by the dropping numbers of mortality/death!  

Is it that hard to understand?  

Having been missed once (probably twice given how quickly after the MG my turmours were found by my GP) .... I am definitely on the 3D band wagon .... and would recommend that everyone demand to know the  status of their Mammogram machine before booking in!

Mine too. 
 Having been diagnosed once, I would definitely prefer a tomo scan. 

I would venture a guess that every already diagnosed breast cancer survivor would prefer a tomo.

Yes all good points @arpie. Definitely 3D for less invasive treatments and yes, you would think that over time it would save $$, not to mention the lower impact on each individual and collectively too. It is just the initial outlay. ATM they are focusing on saving lives - until TOMO results show that. it is better at that than 2D........

Now ,who of us would prefer a tomo scan rather than a 2D ? My hand is definitely up!!

Interesting @JJ70

Hmmm, So if the cancers are being detected sooner & smaller & treated earlier with less invasive treatments - that is a good thing, surely and eventually less costly?

Even if the 3Ds were aimed more at those with Dense Breast Tissue or 'ambiguous results' like @kmakm's .....

I wait with baited breath!

I shall tell my story again.

When I went for my mammogram in late 2017 I was asked if I'd like tp participate in the trial of 3D mammogram machines. I was happy to do so and was randomly assigned a 2D machine (which I recognised as I'd had a mammogram before).

The 2D machine did pick up my tumour. However when I returned for the call back scan I was taken straight to the 3D machine.

That pretty much answered the question right there.

It's going to come down to money as always. And I wouldn't be surprised if there was some politics going on about which we are unaware.

There need to be more trials before the country invests MEGA $$ on changing to Tomo for population screening. I have that from the 'horse's mouth'. Perhaps this new publication will go towards that. As you can imagine, spending millions of tax payer's money needs to be invested wisely. The 5 week waiting period at the moment  in WA - from a suspect mammo result to further assessment is unacceptable. BSWA needs funding to create at least one or two more clinics.

Having said that Dr Liz Wylie (BSWA Medical Director) has indicated that Tomo is likely to be rolled out across the states after the evidence is secured. this will take some time. It is not only the machines that are mosre costly, but they will require more people power, namely the radiologists who read the images. If you can imagine a 2D image - being read as a 'flat' image (4 to look at for each woman), then TOMO is MULTIPLE - each 'slice' of the image (x 4 images) needs to be looked at.
We have great standards at BS in terms of double reads. Every woman's images are read by two radiologists. If ONE radiolofgist doesn't like the look of t=something, whilst the other clears it, a third radiologist is brought in.

I will copy and pasts the journal link and a query about the website statement to BSWA and see what reply I get.

Jo xx

@arpie

I am very certain that I will not be staying with BreastScreen WA  as I have discovered that in WA, albeit in Perth, there are imaging services offering 3D mammograms with bulk billing for seniors with a doctor's referral. Well that is easy to get and it is necessary for me to travel to Perth for current followup care. 

I now know that my last mammogram in August this year (year 2) was a 2D!

I am now seriously considering of leaving the public hospital system and finding a private breast specialist who bulk bills and who will support my decision in requesting 3D mammograms. Can't be too hard. 

I will be proactive in my breast care and decide what is best for me.