CHICAGO (AP) -- Researchers have developed a new device that may result in more comfortable mammography for women. According to a study being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), standardizing the pressure applied in mammography would reduce pain associated with breast compression without sacrificing image quality.

A new device that measures pressure instead of force may reduce the discomfort of breast compression in mammography.  Compression of the breast is necessary in mammography to optimize image quality and minimize absorbed radiation dose.  The new pressure-based protocol did not compromise radiation dose or image quality, and, on average, the women reported it to be less painful.

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