Computer Aided Detection

• What is Computer Aided Detection (CAD)?
• How does CAD work?

What is Computer Aided Detection (CAD)?
Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is a sophisticated computer program that marks potential areas of concern on the mammogram. CAD has been shown to improve radiologists’ accuracy when reading mammograms. All mammograms at our clinic are read using CAD technology.

How does CAD work?
CAD is a tool for the radiologist to use as he/she reads your mammogram. Like a spell-check tool in a word processing program, CAD points out areas on a mammogram that may indicate a pathological process. It’s up to the doctor to decide if the area is truly of concern and needs additional attention, or not.

CAD does have some limitations:

• CAD cannot say what is or is not a cancer, (only a biopsy can do that) but it does mark areas that may potentially be cancer.
• The CAD device cannot detect all visible cancers.
• The CAD places an average of 2 marks per mammogram. The majority of these marks are not cancer; for example, out of 16,000 marks, only 110 resulted in cancer. It is up to the doctor to decide if a marked area needs additional follow-up.
• In order for the CAD to mark a cancer, the cancer must be visible on the mammogram. A very small percentage of cancers are not visible on the mammogram; CAD cannot help in these cases, so it is still important to do breast self-exams and see your doctor regularly for a routine breast exam:- if you feel a lump and it is getting larger, even if you were told the mammogram is normal, you need to call your doctor.

This page is intended as an educational resource only. It is not a substitute for professional care. Please see your physician if you have any concerns about your own health.

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