Breast imaging: from 1965 to the present.

The current state of the art for breast imaging is reviewed in comparison with the methods of practice commonly in use 25-35 years ago to demonstrate the most important advances that have taken place in imaging techniques, operational considerations, interpretive approaches, and interventional procedures. Since 1965, breast imaging has progressed from the simple assessment of breast disease in a selected small number of symptomatic women to the comprehensive evaluation of both breast health and disease in a substantial percentage of all women aged 40 years and older. In the process, breast imaging has become an established radiologic subspecialty that accounts for at least 10% of all examinations performed by radiologists. Indeed, mammography now is the most common imaging examination that directly results in the reduction of mortality from disease.