How good is breast MRI? Also, breast cancer rates fall again

Dear AuntMinnie Member,

The conventional wisdom in medical imaging is that breast MRI is an invaluable tool when paired with mammography, improving breast cancer survival rates whenever it's used. But is the conventional wisdom right?

With respect to recurrent breast cancer, at least one expert isn't so sure. While breast MRI for detecting second breast cancer seems like a great idea, its value hasn't yet been proved in clinical studies, according to surgical oncologist Dr. Kimberly Van Zee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Medical College of Cornell University, both in New York City.

In an article by staff writer Kate Madden Yee in our MRI Digital Community, Dr. Van Zee covers the debate over the use of MRI for recurrent breast cancer, in particular the modality's impact on patient outcomes and treatment planning.

Interestingly, she believes that the current body of research shows no benefit for MRI of recurrent breast cancers. Get the rest of the details on the story by clicking here.

In another story on breast MRI, staff writer Shalmali Pal examines why MRI-guided breast biopsy can yield higher rates of disagreement with histologic analysis than breast biopsy using other modalities. You'll find the answer by clicking here.

Finally, a new study released today by the American Cancer Society offers further evidence that breast cancer death rates continue to fall. As in past reports, the ACS said that the cessation of hormone replacement therapy contributed to the 2% decline, but the society also said that lower mammography rates meant that fewer women are being diagnosed. Get this story by clicking here.