title: MRI screening for breast cancer in women at high risk; is the Australian breast MRI screening access program addressing the needs of women at high risk of breast cancer?
abstract: Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening of women under 50 years old at high familial risk of breast cancer was given interim funding by Medicare in 2009 on the basis that a review would be undertaken. An updated literature review has been undertaken by the Medical Services Advisory Committee but there has been no assessment of the quality of the screening or other screening outcomes. This review examines the evidence basis of breast MRI screening and how this fits within an Australian context with the purpose of informing future modifications to the provision of Medicare-funded breast MRI screening in Australia. Issues discussed will include selection of high-risk women, the options for MRI screening frequency and measuring the outcomes of screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Tess
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schenberg
authors.affiliation: Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, University of Western Australia Perth, Western Australia, Australia ; Department of Radiology, Royal Perth Hospital Perth, Western Australia, Australia ; BreastScreen Western Australia, Adelaide Terrace Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, University of Western Australia Perth, Western Australia, Australia ; Department of General Surgery, St John of God Hospital Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Christobel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saunders
keywords: Australia; breast; breast neoplasms; magnetic resonance imaging; medicare