The Technology Of Mammography: Misunderstood and Underutilized

Abstract

This article reviews milestones in the technological development of mammography since 1970. Mammography is particularly underutilized as a screening procedure for breast cancer and the reasons for its continued inappropriate and under use are explored. Although there are some known barriers to increased utilization among the female adult population, the majority of barriers reside within the domain of referring physicians. Remedies to address the low referral rates for screening mammography are outlined for federal agencies, radiology groups, mammography equipment companies, medical schools, and philanthropic groups. Until the developers of technological procedures such as mammography appreciate that the application of a technology and its appropriate utilization by professionals and the public are important to consider when the technology is developed, utilization rates may not do justice to the technology's potential.