Alternative screening for dense breasts: MRI.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the use of MRI in breast density measurement and breast cancer risk estimation and to discuss the role of MRI as an alternative screening to mammography for screening women with dense breasts. CONCLUSION. The potential of MRI for screening women with dense breasts remains controversial because of the paucity of clinical evidence, the possibility of overdiagnosis, and the cost-effectiveness of the technique in this population. Although methods of MRI measurement require standardization and automation, future addition of MRI density to risk models may positively impact their value.