Wang J, Greuter MJW, Vermeulen KM, et al. - Given the potential of MRI in improving the screening effectiveness among women with dense breasts and its greater feasibility, after the introduction of fast abbreviated protocols (AP), to be used in a general population, researchers sought to determine if AP-MRI is cost-effective in women with dense breasts (heterogeneously/extremely dense) in a population-based screening program.

• Researchers applied SiMRiSc, which is a previously validated model, with parameters updated for women with dense breasts.

• More frequent use of AP-MRI appeared to be linked with greater life years gained; optimal frequency being biennial AP-MRI for women with extremely dense breast up to age 65.

• Findings suggest that for screening women with extremely dense breast, biennial AP-MRI can be a cost-effective alternative to mammography, but is not an option for women with heterogeneously dense breasts.