Marion Aleah Moreno 3-V3A 06/20/2024

Summary of Research Study: Cost-Effectiveness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Screening for Women With Extremely Dense Breast Tissue

The research centers on the difficulty of properly identifying breast cancer in patients
with very thick breast tissue. On a mammogram, dense breast tissue—which looks
white—makes it challenging for conventional mammography to tell healthy from
malignant growths. This restriction can lead to missed diagnosis and delayed treatment,
therefore influencing the survival rates and prognosis for each patient.

The study assesses the use of Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) as a supplementary
screening method in order to handle this problem. Offering more sensitivity than
mammography, MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to create finely detailed
pictures of the breast. MRI can more successfully distinguish between tumors and thick
tissue than mammography, therefore improving the early stage breast cancer diagnosis.

MRI screening for women with rather thick breast tissue has clearly proven advantages.
The findings of the study showed that including MRI into the screening process greatly
increases the breast cancer detection rates. Early identification is absolutely vital as it
enables timely intervention and therapy that can improve outcomes and increase
survival rates.

Moreover, the cost-effectiveness research revealed that MRI screening every four years
for women with highly thick breasts is reasonably priced. Determined to be €15,620, the
cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) falls within the reasonable range for medical
treatments. This result justifies the inclusion of MRI into regular screening for this high-
risk population as it implies that the health advantages and better detection rates
outweigh the extra expenses related with MRI technology.

All things considered, the study emphasizes how MRI might improve breast cancer
screening campaigns for women with thick breast tissue by providing a useful
instrument to get over the restrictions of conventional mammography and raise patient
outcomes.