Most women know that they should get a mammogram each year after a certain age in order to screen for breast cancer. However, many women really dislike the mammogram process because it is uncomfortable at best and may be considered painful by some. A new imaging system has been designed which provides a much mroe comfortable alternative to the mammogram. However, this new system won't be available in the United States for some time to come.
The alternative to the mammogram is called Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT). You can learn more about it here but basically it's a method of creating a 3D mammogram without the compression and invasiveness that are experienced with the traditional mammogram. Although the product was developed here in the United States, it is going to first be launched in Europe.
The main reason for this is because different countries each have different standards for regulating this type of equipment. The company which deigned the product doesn't have the ability to market to all of the different regulatory boards at once. It is beginning with Europe and will move forward to seek FDA approval in the United States at some point in the future. There is hope that may happen before the end of the year.
Question of the Day: Would you be interested in a mammogram alternative?
