A new study from the Netherlands suggests that using contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) as the primary imaging tool for women recalled from breast cancer screening may reduce costs compared with conventional imaging. The research, published in a peer-reviewed journal, followed 1,200 women for 18 months and compared total costs, imaging costs, and quality of life between the two approaches.
Women who received CEM had lower total costs (about €117 less per person) and significantly lower imaging costs (€130 less per person). Quality of life, measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), was similar between the groups, meaning the cost savings did not come at the expense of well-being. The study also found that CEM had a 53% chance of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €10,000 per QALY, and this probability rose to 85% among women with inconclusive initial mammograms (BI-RADS 0).
The researchers note that the study had some limitations, including missing data that were handled with statistical methods, and uncertainty was examined using bootstrap analysis. No safety concerns were reported, but the study did not detail adverse events or tolerability.
For women recalled from breast cancer screening, especially those with inconclusive mammograms, using CEM as the first imaging test may be a reasonable option that saves healthcare costs without compromising quality of life. However, individual decisions should be made with a healthcare provider.