Are CT Scans a "Mammogram of the Heart"?
A recent
post over at The Heart Scan Blog drew comparisons between the CT Heart Scan and the mammogram. The similarities that are pointed out include that both are low-radiation screening tests which are done on a periodic basis for specific age groups. The blog also points the interesting similarity that both the mammogram and the
heart scan is good for the purpose its intended for but isn't perfect, although when you think more about that, it makes sense for most medical techniques and doesn't necessarily point to a similarity specific to the scans.
The most interesting similarity pointed out between the two tests is how they both started off with a lack of acceptance among the general population and then grew to more widespread acceptance. However, it took the heart scan a significantly shorter period of time to gain that acceptance. Part of that may be due to the fact that the heart scan is significantly more effective at what it does than the mammogram is, despite the fact that the mammogram has been around longer. Plus, heart disease is a much more frequent killer of women than breast cancer so it perhaps serves a greater purpose in the eyes of many women.
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