Breast cancer survival following MRI detection in a high-risk screening program

Guidelines for high-risk screening with MRI were introduced by the American Cancer Society in 2007, based on superior sensitivity of MRI over mammography, albeit without proven mortality reduction. The mortality end point is still unconfirmed, but international data are maturing with improved survival apparent, albeit subject to lead time and length bias. In this observational study of survival, we review 41 consecutive patients whose cancers (85.3% invasive) were detected through 2039 asymptomatic MRI screenings. With a minimum follow-up of 5 years and median follow-up of 10.2 years (range: 5.0-15.1), disease-specific survival is 100%.