Supplemental ultrasonagraphy screening for women with dense breast would significantly increase costs while producing relatively small benefits, despite state breast density laws, according to research by the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers used 3 validated models of simulated cohorts of women with heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts born in 1960 to compare breast cancer outcomes, quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained, and costs for mammography alone versus supplemental ultrasound following a negative mammogram.

They found, per 1,000 women, supplemental ultrasound:

• prevented 0.36 deaths from breast cancer

• gained 1.7 QALY

• resulted in 354 biopsy recommendations

The cost effectiveness ratio per QALY gained was $325,000 for women with heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, and $246,000 when adjusted for just women with extremely dense breasts.

Citation: Sprague BL, Stout NK, Schechter C, et al. Benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of supplemental ultrasonography screening for women with dense breasts. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):157-166. doi: 10.7326/M14-0692.