Imaging research supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is advancing on several fronts. Besides efforts to improve conventional and digital X-ray mammography, NCI also supports research for several other technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

On September 4, 2001, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) launched a multicenter study to determine if digital mammography meets or exceeds capabilities, costs, benefits, and other factors, when compared to standard film mammography for the detection of breast cancer. Digital mammography is a technique for recording x-ray images in computer code instead of on x-ray film, as with conventional mammography. The images are displayed on a computer monitor (sometimes referred to as a workstation or viewbox) and can be enhanced before they are printed on film.