Studies question need for 3D mammography

Times of India reports  lack of evidence for use of digital mammography. US-based National Cancer Institute has questioned the efficacy of digital mammography over conventional mammography in detecting breast cancer. Digital mammography is much more expensive than the conventional one. These findings by reputed institutes and journals have added to the raging controversy about unnecessary medical investigations and procedures. 

An article based on a 270,000-patient study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that though the use of digital mammography increased significantly between 2001-02 and 2008-09, contributing to a 31% increase in screening-related costs for women in the medicare programme, it did not translate into increased breast cancer detection rates. 

Think about the implications for a country like India where resources are limited and conventional mammograms would help to increase the reach of screening programme much more than expensive tests.