Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography for breast cancer

Equality considerations

NICE is committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

The contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) technologies may be used for men and women of any age, who are suspected of having breast cancer. The technologies may be more useful in people with denser breast tissue, who are usually younger. They are therefore associated with the protected characteristics of sex and age.

The technology is unsuitable for people with an allergy to iodinated contrast media. One patient organisation commented that the use of a contrast agent may be refused by some people on religious grounds.