Breast MRI is the study of choice for women at high risk for breast cancer.

According to a study published in Radiology Lo et al reviewed the outcomes of 3,934 screening breast studies (MRI and mammograms) performed on 1,249 high-risk women. A total of 45 cancers (33 invasive and 12 ductal carcinomas in situ) were diagnosed, 43 were seen with MR imaging and 14 with both mammography and MR imaging.   The cancer detection rate for MR imaging was 21.8 cancers per 1000 examinations and that for mammography was 7.2 cancers per 1000 examinations. Sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging were 96% and 78% respectively, and those of mammography were 31% and 89%, respectively (P < .001).  The researchers reported that all cancers found at screening mammography were also detected on breast MRI.  

The researchers concluded that annual screening mammography adds no value to women that are at high risk for breast cancer especially since they are screened each year with breast MRI.