Technology Evaluation Center BlueCross BlueShield Association

©2002 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Reproduction without prior authorization is prohibited. 1 NOTICE OF PURPOSE: TEC Assessments are scientific opinions, provided solely for informational purposes. TEC Assessments should not be construed to suggest that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program or the TEC Program recommends, advocates, requires, encourages, or discourages any particular treatment, procedure, or service; any particular course of treatment, procedure, or service; or the payment or non-payment of the technology or technologies evaluated. Executive Summary The objective of this Assessment is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of using computer-aided detection (CAD) as an adjunct to mammography. Mammography is used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis to detect and characterize breast masses and calcifications that may be malignant. Conventional mammography uses film-screen technology and achieves approximately 85% sensitivity in detecting cancer though results are operator-dependent and may vary with reader expertise. There is considerable interest in finding techniques to improve sensitivity and reduce variability among readers.