Who should have an MRI to screen for breast cancer?
-
In accordance with guidelines set forth by the American Cancer Society, we recommend that women with a lifetime risk for developing breast cancer greater than 20% get an MRI in addition to their mammogram every year. Women with a 15-20% lifetime risk should discuss MRI screening with their doctors. The ACS does not recommend MRI screening for those with a lifetime risk less than 15%.
As a screening tool, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most appropriate for patients at high risk. This category includes women who have at least a 20-25% chance of developing breast cancer:
- Those with mutations of BRCA1/2 genes
- Women who have Hodgkin's disease and have had radiation to the thorax
- Women with a family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister)
- Women who have had breast cancer
- In some cases, women with biopsy-proven high-risk lesions may be considered for MRI
In accordance with guidelines set forth by the American Cancer Society, we recommend that women with a lifetime risk for developing breast cancer greater than 20% get an MRI in addition to their mammogram every year. Women with a 15-20% lifetime... More -
Baptist Health South Florida answered:Annual MRIs plus mammograms and breast exams may help save lives of women at high risk for breast cancer -- those with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or with a family history of breast cancer.
A Dutch study published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology is the first to measure whether adding MRIs to mammography screening increases survival. In 2,157 high-risk women, researchers found that after six years of the combined screenings, 93 percent of those with the gene mutation were alive, compared to 74 percent who were alive at five years in earlier studies without MRIs. In women with the BRCA1 mutation, MRI was superior to mammograms in finding cancer. All of those with family histories of breast cancer were still alive after six years.
In recent years, annual breast MRIs along with mammograms have been recommended for those at increased risk for breast cancer. MRI is better at finding tumors, but mammography is also needed to detect cancers missed by MRI.
Breast MRIs are not advised for women with average risk because of the chances for finding abnormalities that aren’t cancer, leading to unnecessary biopsies and repeat scans.Annual MRIs plus mammograms and breast exams may help save lives of women at high risk for breast cancer -- those with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or with a family history of breast cancer. A Dutch study published in The Journal of... More -
Dr. Thomas Cink of Sanford Health answered:Most women need only a standard mammogram, but some should have a breast MRI. In this video, Dr. Thomas Cink describes who needs this extra exam.
Most women need only a standard mammogram, but some should have a breast MRI. In this video, Dr. Thomas Cink describes who needs this extra exam. More
