Mammography - Computer Aided Detection (CAD)

What is CAD?
How Does CAD Work?
Does CAD replace the analysis by the radiologist?
Will CAD mean I will have additional compressions?
Is there an extra charge for CAD?
Will all mammogram patients at Washington Radiology Associates receive the benefit of CAD?


What is CAD?
CAD, or Computer Aided Detection, is a software program that results in greater diagnostic accuracy in mammogram interpretation.




How Does CAD Work?
CAD uses software based on several thousand cases of breast cancer, and analyses the mammogram image for abnormalities or disease based on these cases. The abnormal areas are then highlighted on a computer monitor for the radiologist to review a second time.




Does CAD replace the analysis by the radiologist?
No. CAD supplements the review and interpretation by the radiologist, since the radiologist initially reviews the image without the use of CAD, followed by CAD analysis and a second image review.




Will CAD mean I will have additional compressions?
No. The number of compressions with your mammogram remains the same with or without CAD.




Is there an extra charge for CAD?
Yes. The equipment and software required to perform CAD is expensive. Medicare, Carefirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and other insurance companies have added CAD as a covered service. If your insurance does not cover CAD, you will be expected to pay $39 for CAD when you register for your mammogram.




Will all mammogram patients at Washington Radiology Associates receive the benefit of CAD?
Yes. WRA believes it is in the best interest of all our mammography patients to have their mammograms reviewed by CAD technology.