We are living fewer years in good health: Is the NHS part of the problem? - BBC

News|Articles|October 15, 2026 ABUS matched handheld ultrasound on cancer detection in women with dense breasts while lowering recall and short-interval follow-up rates. Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) detected breast cancer at a rate similar to handheld ultrasound (HHUS) in women with dense breasts while producing fewer abnormal interpretations, fewer false-positive initial assessments, and fewer recommendations for short-interval follow-up, according to an observational study published in the October 2026 issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. The analysis, drawn from more than 25,000 supplemental screening examinations in US community practice, was not designed to establish sensitivity or specificity, and ABUS may not be appropriate for every patient with dense breast tissue. According to the investigators and an accompanying news release, this is the first study to directly compare the screening performance of the 2 modalities in clinical practice in the United States. Why does supplemental ultrasound screening matter for patients with dense breasts?