Statement from Breast Cancer Care
Comment on study to be published in The Lancet (11.8.07) comparing the effectiveness of mammograms and MRI scans in diagnosing Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).
Dr Emma Pennery, Nurse Consultant at Breast Cancer Care said:
“This study extends our existing knowledge about the accuracy of MRIs in diagnosing DCIS, suggesting they are more accurate than mammograms in this area. However, it is unclear as to who exactly will benefit most from MRIs as the study included a mixed population of women, some of whom were attending routine breast screening, some being followed up after breast cancer treatment or others who had a significant family history of the disease.
“Further research is needed to clarify what implications this has on the way DCIS is currently diagnosed, and when it is most appropriate and efficient to use MRIs.
“The screening service remains an important and effective way of detecting breast cancer at an early stage and improving possible outcomes as a result. Breast Cancer Care would urge all women to continue to attend screening if eligible to do so.”
Ends
Anyone with breast cancer or breast health concerns should contact Breast Cancer Care’s helpline (0808 800 6000) or visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk
For further media information, please contact
Ruwani Weerasinghe
Press Officer
020 7960 3521/0770 290 1334 out of office hours
ruwaniw@breastcancercare.org.uk
Notes to editors:
DCIS is an early form of breast cancer, where the cancer cells are inside milk ducts or ‘in situ’ and have not developed the ability to spread either within the breast or to other areas outside the breast. Because the cancer cells have not yet developed the ability to spread, DCIS can be described as an intraductal or non-invasive cancer.
The number of people with DCIS who might go on to develop invasive breast cancer vary according to the size, type and grade of DCIS (it is thought that low-grade DCIS is less likely to become an invasive cancer than high-grade DCIS). Grouping all cases together approximately 25% will progress to invasive breast cancer over 10 years if left untreated.
MRIs are currently used to:
- To further evaluate non-definitive abnormalities detected on mammography
- To identify breast cancer in women with especially dense breast tissue (less clear on mammography) and those at high risk because of a significant family history (as recommended in amended NICE guidelines on familial breast cancer)
- To assist in screening for cancer in women who have implants or scar tissue from previous surgery as these might affect the accuracy of a mammogram
- To determine the integrity of breast implants (looking for ruptures or movement)
- To distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent breast cancer where this differentiation is unclear
- Not as part of routine triple assessment technique for diagnosing breast cancer
Anyone with breast cancer or breast health concerns can get free, confidential support and information from the Breast Cancer Care helpline on 0808 800 6000 or by visiting www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Breast Cancer Care has been working for over 30 years to make a difference in the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We provide accurate, easy to understand information as well as practical and emotional support. We are the only charity working across the UK to provide these services. Every year we reach over one million people through our website, helpline, publications, person to person support and health promoting activities, all of which are offered free. We are committed to campaigning for better treatment and support for people with breast cancer and their families.
Ruwani Weerasinghe
Press & PR Officer-Policy, Campaigns & Services
Breast Cancer Care
* ruwaniw@breastcancercare.org.uk
( 020 7960 3521
+ Breast Cancer Care, 5-13 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 oNS
Helpline: 0808 800 6000
Web: www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Breast Cancer Care has moved to 5-13 Great Suffolk Street, Southwark, London SE1 0NS from where we will increase the support we can provide to anyone affected by breast cancer or with breast health concerns. Our new switchboard number is 0845 092 0800. Our centres in Wales, Scotland and the North and Midlands are not affected. To find out more about Breast Cancer Care visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk.
Anyone affected by breast cancer can call our free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000, open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm
