What is one key factor that can affect the accuracy of 2D mammography?

Breast glandularity is a significant factor that can impact the accuracy of 2D mammography. Dense breast tissue can obscure tumors or abnormalities, making it more challenging for radiologists to detect potential issues. In women with higher breast density, the fibroglandular tissue appears white on a mammogram, which can mask the presence of cancer that may also appear white. This can lead to false-negative results, meaning that a malignancy may go undetected.

On the other hand, while patient age, personal medical history, and distance from the machine may have some effects on mammography outcomes, they are not as directly influential in determining the accuracy of detection as breast glandularity. Patient age can influence breast tissue composition but is less significant at the time of imaging compared to the immediate impact of tissue density. Personal medical history can provide context during evaluation but does not directly affect the visibility of abnormalities on a 2D mammogram. Distance from the machine might affect image quality, but typically mammography machines are standardized to minimize any variability in distance that would affect accuracy significantly.