The use of breast imaging to screen women at high risk for cancer

Abstract

Although there currently is no evidence of reduced breast cancer mortality for screening women at high risk with mammography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, or ultrasonography (US), the presumptive evidence of early cancer detection provided by numerous observational studies has led to the publication of guidelines and recommendations for the selective use of these imaging modalities. In general, annual screening mammography is recommended for women of appropriately high risk beginning at age 30 years, supplemental screening with MR imaging is recommended for a subset of women at very high risk, and screening US is suggested for women for whom MR imaging is appropriate but unavailable, impractical, or poorly tolerated. The use of screening US remains controversial among women who have no substantial risk factors other than dense breasts.