Women's acceptance of MRI in breast cancer surveillance because of a familial or genetic predisposition

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 673 - 676
• Main Authors: Essink-Bot, M.L., Rijnsburger, A.J., van Dooren, S., de Koning, H.J., Seynaeve, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Breast cancer surveillance; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Discomfort; Early Diagnosis; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Health Care Surveys; High risk; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - psychology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - utilization; Mammography - utilization; Middle Aged; MRI; Netherlands; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Population Surveillance; Prospective Studies; Subjective burden; Surveys and Questionnaires; Netherlands; Breast cancer surveillance; High risk; Subjective burden; Discomfort; MRI
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2006.02.001

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breasts is a promising screening modality for early detection in women at increased breast cancer risk. We investigated the subjective experiences with MRI and the preferences for MRI, mammography or clinical breast examination in 178 high-risk women adhering to a breast cancer surveillance programme. MRI was reported to cause limited discomfort. About 44% preferred MRI as a screening test (mammography: 14%). MRI provided the most reassurance of breast cancer being absent in case of a favourable test result. MRI seems to be acceptable as a screening test for women at increased breast cancer risk and is preferred by them over mammography.