Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Screening of Woman at High-Risk of Breast Cancer

MRI is an excellent option for detection of breast cancer for some selected groups, including those patients with a high probability to hit the disease. However, the high costs and low availability of the device have led to a decline in the application of imaging MRI. The aim of this study was to review usefulness of MRI as a new complementary way to detect breast cancer in routine annual checkup for women breasts of certain ages and breast mass. A cross-sectional Descriptive MRI study was performed on 105 asymptomatic women with a mean age of 49 years. The study group with at least one risk factor of breast cancer were presenting for routine annual screening or follow up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah. It has been found that, 48 patients had biopsy, they were recommended by magnetic resonance imaging and only 14 had positive results, while magnetic resonance imaging suggested 16 and mammography had 62 positive results. Magnetic resonance imaging is not recommended for the average-risk or the general population either; it had been advised for screening the high-risk women of breast cancer. Sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging has been found to be much higher than of mammography but specificity was generally lower. We propose that it is reasonable to consider MRI as a complement to mammography in screening patients who were at high risk for breast cancer because Magnetic Resonance Imaging can detect small foci that are occult in mammography but we don’t advise to check with the general population.