Should I ask my doctor about having breast MRI instead of a regular mammogram?

HealthWork’s editorial staff spoke with David Rose, MD, a diagnostic radiologist at Emerson Hospital.

The American Cancer Society recently recommended that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) be used to screen women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. However, “high risk” refers to women who have been identified as having the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation, who have a family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives or who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past. Women without those specific risk factors most likely do not need MRI screening.

MRI’s ability to delineate soft tissue makes it especially valuable for identifying abnormalities in breast tissue. But it comes with a drawback: a greater chance for false positives that require additional testing and can cause a patient unnecessary anxiety. Women who are not at high risk are well-served by traditional mammography. Those who are considered to be high risk should have a mammogram and MRI scanning.

To schedule a mammogram, please call, 978-287-8107.