MRI More Sensitive Than Mammography in Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer

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Breast MRI

MRI July 28, 2004 - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was more sensitive than mammography for detecting early disease in women at high risk of breast cancer, according to the results of a large study published in the July 29 issue of the . New England Journal of Medicine

"The value of regular surveillance for breast cancer in women with a genetic or familial predisposition to breast cancer is currently unproven," writes Mieke Kriege, MSc, from Erasmus Medical Center-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues. "In a diagnostic setting, MRI is a sensitive method of breast imaging, and it is virtually uninfluenced by breast density, but the specificity is variable and the costs are high."

The investigators screened 1,909 women who had a cumulative lifetime risk of breast cancer of at least 15%, using clinical breast examination every six months and annual mammography and MRI with independent readings. Of 1,909 eligible women, 358 women were carriers of germ-line mutations. Median follow-up was 2.9 years.

If you are interested in or have questions regarding a Breast MRI please contact the Women's Imaging Center at 530-243-1249 or email info@mdimaging.net