Should women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer less than 15% undergo MRI screening?

MRI screening for breast cancer is typically recommended for women who are at a significantly higher risk, generally those with a lifetime risk of breast cancer at or above 20% or those with genetic predispositions, such as BRCA mutations. A lifetime risk of breast cancer less than 15% does not usually warrant the use of MRI as a screening tool because the benefit does not outweigh the risks and costs associated with the procedure.

MRI screening may lead to higher rates of false positives, resulting in unnecessary anxiety and additional testing. Furthermore, it has not been shown to provide a substantial benefit in detecting breast cancer in women with a lower risk profile. The standard recommendation emphasizes that those with a lifetime risk of 15% or higher should be the focus for more intensive screening methods like MRI, while those with lower risks can typically adhere to regular mammography screenings as appropriate.