Current Status of Quality Control of Breast Cancer Screening by Digital Mammography in USA : with Special Reference to Digital Imaging and Soft Copy Diagnosis in Japan

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  • Shimada Naoko
    Department of Radiology, Marunouchi Integrated Health Clinic for Women (ihc)

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  • 各国における乳癌検診の現状（５）米国におけるデジタルマンモグラフィ精度管理の現状と日本のソフトコピー診断への考察

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Abstract

Full-field digital mammography (FFDM) was approved by the US FDA in 2000 and certified by the Mammography Quality Standard Act (MQSA) in 2003. FFDM already accounts for 15% of the total number of mammographic examinations conducted in the USA, and its use is increasing further. FFDM differs from conventional film screen systems in its acquisition system, image display, and also its review and reading environment. It is therefore necessary to understand the mechanisms and operating skills of FFDM in order to ensure quality control and quality assurance. MQSA assumes accreditation of the film screen system as a prerequisite for approval of FFDM. In addition, MQSA requires radiologists, radiologic technologists, and medical physicists with film screen system accreditation to complete eight hours of training in the FFDM system. Having had an opportunity to participate in the New Mammographic Modality Training Program held at Northwestern University, I gave some consideration to what an appropriate training method for soft copy diagnosis would be in Japan.<BR>In Japan, digital imaging and soft copy diagnosis are increasingly required in mammography, as is the case for other imaging modalities. Reliability for patients, however, cannot be established without understanding the mechanisms and quality assurance of the FFDM system. There is an increasing need to establish a training system for new digital imaging systems such as FFDM and CR, which are widely applied in Japan.

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