Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Screening of Breast Cancer

MR imaging has a clear modality-based advantage compared with mammography and sonography in early breast cancer detection, and its role in screening is evolving. There is strong evidence to support MR imaging screening in high-risk women, and growing interest and varying levels of evidence for MR imaging screening in moderate-risk women. Among those screened with MR imaging, mammography offers a small incremental cancer yield, and ultrasonography is not additive. Although MR imaging screening in the average-risk population has the potential to improve detection of more relevant disease and minimize overdiagnosis, MR imaging in its current form would not be cost-effective. Abbreviated techniques have streamlined MR imaging to improve the feasibility of wider use. However, more robust data are needed to further consolidate and refine the role of MR imaging in breast cancer screening.