Myth #3: MRI is better than mammography because it finds more cancer.

FALSE. What do we really want from MRI or mammography? We want to save lives. However, there is no evidence that MRI saves lives.

MRI does not work better than mammography--it just works differently. Evidence does exist that mammography may save lives. Even though MRI does find more cancer than mammography, there is no evidence that doing so saves lives.

Let’s compare MRI and mammography when used for screening, that is as a tool among healthy women when no symptoms are present. This is different than the diagnostic setting when symptoms are already present.

Some might consider MRI "better" than mammography because it is unaffected by breast density and does not use radiation. In addition, MRI is a more sensitive imaging test than mammography. However, when used for screening, MRI yields even more false positive results than mammography. This is one reason why the use of MRI screening is not recommended for the general public. Even among those at high-risk for developing breast cancer, one study of women with genetic predisposition found that the number of unneeded biopsies tripled. And no data show that the use of MRI imaging, even among women at high-risk for developing breast cancer, saves lives.

For screening, the potential risks and benefits of any tool need to be carefully considered.

 

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Read more about MRI screening and NBCC’s comments on the American Cancer Society recommendations for MRI screening for high-risk women. Learn more about NBCC’s mission and accomplishments.