Quality of mammography in a breast cancer screening

Abstract

High quality of mammography is one of the main pillars in an organized screening program. Three aspects are of fundamental importance: the mammography positioning, adequate quality control in mammography screening and diagnostic of potential failures or errors that may delay diagnosis and determine a reduction of the benefits offered by mammographic breast cancer screening. For high mammography quality, we must take into account the adequate breast positioning, the image quality and perform different protocols in craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique incidence. The high radiologic performance directly influences the results of breast screening. The European Union has adopted several quality control criteria, a fact that we must consider and use when developing a screening program. Likewise, the rate of tumors false negative interval should be as small as possible. Patients should be separated according to the presence or absence of clinical symptoms, and high-risk patients should be evaluated through an individual basis. The use of radiological quality programs, internal and external audit just enhance the results of the program and the assistance to women.