The American College of Radiology (ACR) announced this week what they call the Contrast-Enhanced Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (CMIST) in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and GE Healthcare. The trial seeks to determine whether contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) improves breast cancer detection and reduces false-positive exams in women with dense breasts.

Specifically, CMIST seeks to determine if CEM is more accurate in detecting breast cancer compared to digital breast tomosynthesis in women with dense breasts. One of the goals of the study of contrast mammography is the potential to develop more individualized breast imaging strategies for women with dense breasts, which ACR reports represents 43 percent of women aged 40 to 72. 

This is a well-timed study, given the US Food and Drug Administration's recent letter to U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro that the agency expects to finalize its breast density notification rules by year end or early next year. As a result, more women will be made aware or their breast density status -- a good outcome!