MRI Helps Detect Cancer In Dense Breast Tissue

BOSTON – A new study suggests that women with high density breast tissue could benefit from MRI screening between regular mammogram checkups.

Roughly 1 in 10 women – and half of women over 40 – are considered to have extremely dense breast tissue, which poses a higher risk of breast cancer.

It makes it harder to detect the cancer using a traditional mammogram.

The new study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

It examined women with high density breast tissue who had normal mammography results.

It found that using supplemental MRI screening in these patients resulted in fewer interval cancers than using mammography alone.