Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening in National Mammography Facilities: Insights and Challenges of Integrating Additional Ultrasound for Women with Dense Breasts — A Qualitative Analysis - Summary - MDSpire

Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening in National Mammography Facilities: Insights and Challenges of Integrating Additional Ultrasound for Women with Dense Breasts — A Qualitative Analysis

  • By

  • Susanne A. Elsner

  • Eva Haußmann

  • Paula Grieger

  • Moritz Hadwiger

  • Andrea Rieck

  • Astrid Hacker

  • Sylvia Heywang-Köbrunner

  • Alexander Katalinic

  • October 31, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the practicality of incorporating ultrasound (US) as an adjunct to mammography for women with dense breasts in Germany, specifically focusing on the German context.

Key Findings:
  • Healthcare providers and clients recognized the limitations of mammography in women with dense breasts, highlighting the need for improved patient education.
  • There is a lack of awareness among women regarding breast density and its implications for screening, indicating a need for better communication.
  • Supplemental US was viewed positively for improving diagnostic accuracy, but concerns about false positives and increased workload were noted, suggesting a need for resource management.
Interpretation:

Integrating supplemental US into screening for women with dense breasts could enhance early detection of breast cancer, but requires addressing barriers such as resource allocation, patient education, and managing healthcare provider workloads.

Limitations:
  • The study's qualitative nature limits generalizability of findings and may not capture the full spectrum of experiences.
  • Sample size was small and focused on specific screening centres, which may not represent broader populations.
Conclusion:

While there is potential for integrating US into mammography screening for women with dense breasts, careful consideration of implementation challenges and patient education is essential.

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