Breast MRI now recommended annually by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology in High Risk Patients
Women at high risk for Breast Cancer include:
- Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic defects or 1st degree relatives with those defects
- Women who have a personal history of breast cancer or who have 1st degree relatives with breast cancer.
- Women who have had radiation therapy to the chest between ages 10 and 30 for lymphoma or leukemia.
- Women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer in one breast to determine if there is cancer in the other breast.
- Women who have cancer in an axillary lymph gland with out obvious primary.
- Women who have very dense breasts.
- Women who have breast implants.
The recommendations for all other patients not at high risk is to continue to have annual mammograms and do self examinations.