MedifocusHealth

Up to 10% of women who are diagnosed with cancer in one breast develop cancer in the oppostite breast. If you have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, ask your doctor if you should also undergo an MRI evaluation of the opposite breast.

The American Cancer Society recently issued new guidelines recommending MRI screening, in addition to mammography, for some women who are considered to be at high risk for developing breast cancer. Currently, the new guidelines apply only to women who:

• Have tested positive for either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
• Have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) who has tested positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
• Have been determined to have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20%-25% or higher based on various risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, among others
• Have undergone radiation therapy to the chest area between the ages of 10 and 30

• Have been diagnosed (or have a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed) with one of the following syndromes:

  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome - a syndrome that predisposes people to developing certain types of cancers including soft-tisue sarcoma, breast cancer, leukemia, osteosarcoma, and melanoma.
  • Cowden syndrome - a rare syndrome characterized by numerous benign, tumor-like growths called hamartomas that increases the risk for developing certain cancers including breast, thyroid, and uterine cancer.
  • Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome - a rare inherited disorder that predisposes individuals to the development of both benign and cancerous tumors. The most common sites of cancer are the breast and thyroid gland.

Doctors are still not sure whether MRI screening, in addition to mammography, would benefit women who:

• Have already had breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
• Have lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
• Have atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
• Have atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)
• Have a 15%-20% lifetime risk of breast cancer based on various risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, among others