New Study Reveals Dramatic Decrease in Interval Cancer Rate with MRI Screening for High-Density Breasts

A recent study published in the New England Journal in 2022 brought new insight into breast cancer screening. This randomized trial compared two methods: mammography alone and mammography with MRI when breast density was very high (type D).

Findings from the Study:

The research showed that adding MRI to mammograms for patients with very high-density breasts resulted in a remarkable decrease of approximately 84% in interval cancer rates. Interval cancer is a critical marker of prognosis, which indicates the time between two screenings when a cancer grows and is not detected.

Significance and Comparison to Previous Studies:

In France, ultrasonography is used in conjunction with mammograms, but no studies have proven an impact on interval cancer rates. This trial marks the first time an imaging modality has demonstrated such a significant impact.

Implications:

The results suggest that MRI screening could be highly beneficial for those with very high-density breasts, improving early detection and potentially leading to better outcomes. More research will be needed to determine the long-term implications and potential challenges of implementing this approach in clinical settings.