Physicians and researchers at Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group and the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute are participating in a clinical trial to determine if 3-D mammograms are better than 2-D mammograms at detecting life-threatening breast cancers. The trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, will be conducted at the Kaiser Permanente Kensington Medical Center.
Even though 3-D mammogram machines are widely used, including at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, we are working on learning whether 3-D mammograms are better than 2-D at finding life-threatening breast cancers early enough so that they can be treated successfully.
Video: Mammogram Study Could Change Breast Cancer Screenings
The clinical trial will compare 2-D mammograms with 3-D mammograms to see which one is better at reducing advanced breast cancer. In theory, if one type of mammogram is better at finding life-threatening breast cancers early, then fewer people screened with that type of mammogram should go on to develop advanced breast cancer.
The five-year study will compare two types of FDA-approved digital mammograms for their ability to reduce advanced breast cancer: standard digital mammograms (2-D) and a newer technology called tomosynthesis mammograms (3-D). 2-D mammograms take pictures from two sides of the breast to create a flat image. 3-D mammogram images are taken from different angles around the breast and then built into a 3-D-like image. Some preliminary studies suggest that screening for breast cancer with 3-D mammograms may be superior to 2-D and may help reduce the need for additional imaging or treatment.
Once enrolled, participants will be randomly assigned by a computer to have either a 3-D or 2-D mammogram. Participants will have the same kind of mammogram every year or every other year for five years. After five years, the research team will follow participants for another three years to determine if participants have additional symptoms or are diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers plan to enroll nearly 164,000 people around the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. The Kaiser Permanente Kensington Medical Center enrolled their first patient on May 26, 2022.
The researchers are also looking at whether 3-D mammograms might help certain groups of women, such as women with dense breast tissue, women from different racial and ethnic groups, premenopausal women and women who are taking hormone replacement therapy.
Another important aspect of the trial is to gather biospecimens for future research. Everyone who joins the trial will be asked to submit tissue samples, such as blood tests and cheek swabs. Researchers hope the information from these tissue samples will help personalize the way health systems screen for breast cancer in the future by taking a person's genetics and other personal risk factors into account.
Enrollment Information
Kaiser Permanente Kensington Medical Center is the first site to open enrollment in Maryland. To learn more about eligibility criteria, visit www.cancer.gov.
Patients 45 or older may be invited to participate in this clinical trial at their next scheduled mammogram. A mammogram can be scheduled at the Kensington Medical Center through the KP app, even if care is normally received at a different Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States medical center.
Advancing Cancer Care
Breast cancer kills more than 42,000 women in the United States each year, but patients are more likely to survive breast cancer if it is diagnosed and treated early. At Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, mammograms are available at nearly all of our medical centers, and patients can usually get a same-day mammogram.
Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States is one of the leading healthcare providers when it comes to breast cancer care, so for us to participate in this clinical trial is a natural progression of our commitment to providing top-notch cancer care.
The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group has been on a campaign to reduce sleepless nights for women being screened for breast cancer by delivering results to most patients in less than one hour. Patients with an abnormal screening usually receive follow-up the same day or next day.
We know screening saves lives, so we've made it easy for patients and physicians with automated reminders and fast results.