New supplemental screening option for increased breast cancer detection

(Wilmington, Del. – July 1, 2019)

The Christiana Care Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute is the first in Delaware to offer Fast Breast MRI to women with dense breast tissue or intermediate lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Mammography has been shown to decrease breast cancer mortality, but it is less effective at detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. This limitation has prompted women with increased breast density to request supplemental screening.

Breast MRI detects more breast cancers than other screening options. It has traditionally only been available to women at high risk of breast cancer, such as those with a strong family history or genetic mutation.

Fast Breast MRI is a shortened version of a conventional MRI, taking approximately 10 minutes. Studies have shown that Fast Breast MRI maintains a high cancer detection rate, making it a valuable option for women who want additional breast cancer screening but do not qualify for conventional breast MRI.

“Although screening mammography is instrumental in our fight against breast cancer, mammography can miss some breast cancers — particularly in women who have dense breast tissue,” said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “Offering Fast Breast MRI to women with increased breast density or intermediate breast cancer risk supports a personalized approach to breast health.”

Fast Breast MRI is not a replacement for routine screening mammogram. According to the American College of Radiology and American Society of Breast Surgeons, annual screening mammography is recommended starting at age 40.

“At Christiana Care, we empower women with information about their breast density and breast cancer risk, provide supplemental breast screening options so women can act on this information and support women in making informed decisions that are right for them,” said Jennifer Rowland, M.D., director of Breast Imaging at the Christiana Care Breast Center.

The Christiana Care Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute is among the leading facilities in the region devoted exclusively to breast care, diagnosis and treatment.

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About the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program, is part of the ChristianaCare, one of the country’s most dynamic health systems, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible and lowering health care costs. With more than 245,000 patient visits last year, the Graham Cancer Center is recognized as a national model for multidisciplinary cancer care and a top enroller in U.S. clinical research trials. In conjunction with the Gene Editing Institute, the Center for Translational Cancer Research, the Tissue Procurement Center, statewide High-Risk Family Cancer Registry and collaborations with world-renowned scientists at facilities such as The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia scientists are opening new avenues to more quickly translate cancer science into cancer medicine. For more information, visit christianacare.org/cancer.

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