NICE recommends MRI screening for breast cancer patients

NICE has called for annual MRI screening for women with high risk of breast cancer aged between 20 and 49.

The institute, together with the National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care, has issued new guidelines suggesting that women at high risk such as those carrying BRAC1 or BRAC2 genes should be given the treatment.

MRI scans use magnetic waves as opposed to mammograms which use low-dose X-Rays. Andrew Dillon, chief executive of NICE, told the press association that MRI scans are “especially valuable to young women with the faulty BRAC1 gene”.

He added that “studies show greater sensitivity of MRI in detecting breast cancer at an early stage in women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer due to their family history and [NICE has] therefore recommended its use for this group”.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a leading UK charity, welcomed the new guidelines, but called for something to be done for patients with faulty BRAA genes.

It said that “women are still facing unacceptable delays” in finding out if they have the genes and that the government should ensure its commitments are met.