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Computer-aided detection (CAD), now used in >90% of U.S. mammograms, designates areas for radiologists to focus on before finalizing their reports. Most prior studies assessed CAD in conjunction with film mammograms. Now, researchers have conducted an observational study involving some 324,000 women (age range, 40–89), 495,000 digital screens read with CAD, and 130,000 digital screens read without CAD between 2003 and 2009. Among 271 participating radiologists, 82 never used CAD, 82 always used CAD, and 107 sometimes used this technology.
Invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in 3159 women within 12 months of screening and before the next screen. Mammogram sensitivity (85%–87%), specificity (91%–92%), and cancer de…