Computer-assisted detection (CAD) technology uses computer software to identify and mark areas of concern on mammograms. Radiologists typically review the CAD-marked images after they interpret the original film.
Radiologists can see lesions that CAD sometimes misses so they should not become too dependent on the technology when reading mammograms.
A study was done by the researchers at Group Health to determine the effectiveness of CAD assistance. They found that CAD increased radiologists' ability to determine that the women did not have any cancerous lesions. CAD did not however affect the radiologists' ability to spot cancer when it was present. The physicians performed equally well with and without CAD.
CAD did not mark all visible abnormalities and the doctors could be influenced by the computer's interpretation rather than their own interpretation. Its hard to ignore the technology but the authors of the study recommend training radiologists on characteristics that CAD may miss.
CAD assistance can help radiologists but should not replace their own judgment in reading mammograms.
