The identification of two of the genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) involved in inherited breast cancer has caused great public interest.
A multi-centre trial, Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Breast Screening (MARIBS) compared regular mammographic screening and regular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for women with a high risk of carrying one of these genes.
It ran for five years and was coordinated by the Institute of Cancer Research and funded by the Medical Research Council and NHS Research and Development.
Findings indicated that CE MRI is more sensitive than mammography for cancer detection. Specificity for both procedures was acceptable. Despite a high proportion of grade 3 cancers, tumours were small and few women were node positive. Annual screening, combining CE MRI and mammography, would detect most tumours in this risk group.
Back to key research in breast screening.
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