MRI + Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening

This trial aims to determine how well two screening methods—abbreviated breast MRI and digital tomosynthesis mammography (also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis or 3D Mammography)—detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. The trial will assess whether combining these methods yields better results than using just one. Women with dense breast tissue who are not experiencing symptoms or undergoing other breast cancer treatments qualify as good candidates for this study. Participants will undergo both screening methods either on the same day or within 24 hours, both at the start and after one year. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to important research that could enhance breast cancer detection methods.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be taking medication for breast cancer prevention.

Research has shown that abbreviated breast MRI is generally safe and well-tolerated. It accurately and quickly detects breast cancer, with no major safety concerns reported. This method uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images, without any radiation.

Studies indicate that digital tomosynthesis mammography is also safe and effective. It uses X-rays to create 3D images of the breast, which can help find cancer more accurately, especially in dense breast tissue. Reports suggest it has fewer side effects and requires fewer follow-up tests than traditional mammography.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it combines Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MR) and Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography (DBT) for breast cancer screening, potentially enhancing early detection. Unlike traditional mammography, DBT provides a 3D image of the breast, improving accuracy and reducing false positives. Meanwhile, AB-MR is a quicker version of the standard MRI, taking less than 10 minutes, which makes it more accessible and less time-consuming for patients. By exploring the effectiveness of using these techniques together, researchers hope to improve screening accuracy and provide a more comprehensive assessment of breast health.

This trial compares the effectiveness of two breast cancer screening methods: Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MR) and Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography (DBT). Studies have shown that a shorter version of breast MRI effectively detects breast cancer, correctly identifying cancer in up to 94.7% of cases. Research also indicates that this method can find more invasive cancers compared to some other imaging techniques. Meanwhile, digital tomosynthesis mammography, which creates 3D pictures of the breast, finds more cancers and has fewer false alarms than traditional 2D mammography. This trial will test the combination of both methods, potentially offering a better screening option for women with dense breast tissue by detecting more cases of cancer early. Participants in Arm A will undergo DBT followed by AB-MR, while those in Arm B will undergo AB-MR followed by DBT.²³⁵⁶⁷