This study looked at patients who had a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed at a premenopausal age to see if having screening breast MRI provided a benefit to the patient. Patients with a personal history of breast cancer are considered intermediate risk; many societies, including the American Cancer Society, do not feel that there is enough evidence at this time to recommend for or against yearly screening for this population.

The study population was divided up between those with a personal history only (PH) compared to those with both personal history and family history (PHFH).  There were no significant differences when the groups were compared on breast density, and if they had prior radiation therapy. There was a significant difference when the groups were compared on the age at the time of their original cancer diagnosis. They study found 15 cancers diagnosed in 14 patients having screening MRI. There was no significant difference between the two groups when comparing the types of cancers diagnosed, though a larger number of the cancers were invasive cancers in the PH only group than in the PHFH group.

The results of this study support that patients with a personal history of breast cancer only are just as in need of screening for breast cancer as those who also have a family history. Both groups in this study benefited from screening MRI, as there was a similar number of cancers diagnosed in both groups. Breast MRI is a tool that can be used to screen this population.

Stamatia Destounis, MD
Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC.
Rochester, NY

Publication

Personal History of Premenopausal Breast Cancer as a Risk Factor for Referral to Screening Breast MRI.
Destounis S, Arieno A, Morgan R.
Acad Radiol. 2016 Mar

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