American College of Radiology (ACR) Chief Research Officer Etta D. Pisano, MD, FACR, and Journal of the American College of Radiology Editor-in-Chief Ruth Carlos, MD, MS, FACR, are among the experts to advise the President’s Cancer Panel during November 16 and November 18 public video conferences to explore how to improve and innovate breast cancer screening after the COVID-19 pandemic disruption. The expert group will also create a whitepaper incorporating information and materials discussed during the two days of video conferences.
Pisano is an internationally recognized expert in breast cancer research. She is study chair of the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial that seeks to identify women in which digital breast tomosynthesis may outperform (2D) digital mammography in reducing advanced breast cancer development. Pisano also served as principal investigator of the landmark Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial.
“The COVID pandemic has unfortunately reduced access to breast cancer screening, which may exacerbate already significant disparities in breast cancer outcomes. I understand that this panel will address how we as breast cancer screening experts can reduce the risks to women from reduced access to screening services. I look forward to contributing to this very important discussion,” says Pisano.
The ACR issued Guidelines for the Resumption of Breast Cancer Screening to help resume screening following the COVID-19 shutdown as part of its “Return to Mammography Care” toolkit. The ACR and Society of Breast Imaging advise average-risk women to start annual mammograms at age 40 and high-risk women to start earlier.
Part of the mission at the President’s Cancer Panel is to engage stakeholders in the National Cancer Program to make actionable recommendations to lessen the burden of cancer in the United States.
