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MRI or mammograms for detecting breast cancer in families with unknown genetic mutations?
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/MRI-detects-cancer-earlier-than-mammograms
Full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(19)30275-X/fulltext
MRI and mammograms are used together to detect breast cancer in high-risk women who test positive for a BRCA or other gene mutation that increases the risk for breast cancer. For women with a family history of breast cancer but no known genetic mutation, increased screening is recommended. But what method is best? A recent clinical trial in the Netherlands compared MRI and mammography for this population. (8/15/19)
Expert Guidelines
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) establishes guidelines for women with increased risk (a lifetime risk for breast cancer of 20 percent or more). The guidelines recommend the following screening:
- Have clinical exams every 6–12 months, starting when you are identified as being at increased risk, but not before age 21.
- Consider consulting with a genetic counselor or similarly trained health care provider, if you haven’t already done so.
- Consider consulting with a breast surgeon.
- Start annual mammography screening at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age of the youngest family member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but not before age 30. Consider getting a 3-D mammogram.
- Begin annual breast MRI at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age of the youngest family member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but not before age 25.
- Consider recommended risk reduction strategies, such as preventive hormonal medications.
- Develop breast awareness and report any changes to your health care providers.
NCCN has separate guidelines for breast screening in women with an inherited mutation. See our gene-by-gene listing to find specific risk-management guidelines for people with an inherited mutation linked to cancer.
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- What method of screening or combination of methods do you recommend given my personal and family history?
- What are the benefits and risks of screening by MRI and by mammogram?
- What follow-up would you recommend if my breast MRI comes back with an abnormal finding?
- How often should I be screened for breast cancer?
- Will my insurance cover breast cancer screening?
Open Clinical Trials
The following are breast cancer screening or prevention studies enrolling people at high risk for breast cancer.
Additional risk-management clinical trials for people at high risk for breast cancer may be found here.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.