3D mammography may spot more aggressive breast cancers

NCT ID NCT02698202

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: Azienda USL Reggio Emilia - IRCCS Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This large trial compared two breast cancer screening methods in nearly 27,000 women aged 45-74. One group received standard 2D mammography plus a newer 3D technique called digital breast tomosynthesis, while the other got only standard mammography. Researchers wanted to see if the 3D method could find more advanced cancers and reduce the number of cancers that appear between screenings.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (3D mammography device)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that adding 3D mammography to routine screening detects more aggressive breast cancers earlier, potentially reducing late-stage diagnoses.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to all populations or screening programs. The added radiation dose and higher recall rates could lead to unnecessary biopsies or anxiety.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BREAST CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Azienda Sanitaria Locale Reggio Emilia

Reggio Emilia, Italy

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.