The Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) breast cancer study is investigating whether screening for breast cancer with digital breast tomosynthesis, also called 3-D mammography, can more reliably diagnose breast cancer than a 2-D technique that has been in use longer. Comparing 2-D with 3-D imaging may illuminate new possibilities for how breast cancer screening can be more individually tailored.

Women ages 45 to 74 without a personal history of breast cancer are eligible for the study, which is now running at sites in 32 US states. In addition, the trial is available at sites in Argentina, Canada, Italy, Peru, and South Korea. Now, a site in Thailand is open. The clinical trial is led by US-based ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN).

This study also aims to reach into the future, as one of its components is the creation of an extensive collection of biological data, images, and specimens from study participants. This resource will be used to develop personalised screening strategies following the completion of the trial.  

The more participants that take part in the TMIST trial, the more inclusive the science will be. Thus, a more holistic medical understanding can be used for the benefit of future generations.   

To help researchers discover ways to tailor future screening to a woman's individual risk, the study is creating a large curated dataset of clinical data.