While getting your annual mammogram is a must for breast cancer prevention, some women with dense breast tissue may also require another screening tool: Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MRI). A shortened version of a Breast MRI, AB-MRI is used in conjunction with mammography to check for breast tumors growing in dense tissue. Both Hancock Regional Hospital and Gateway Hancock Health offer this screening.
Abbreviated Breast MRI has a high cancer detection rate
Although mammography is a great assessment tool, AB-MRI can detect tumors and cancers that an annual mammogram cannot. Traditionally, Breast MRI’s, which take longer and cost more, are reserved only for women who are at high risk. AB-MRI makes it accessible for women with a lower risk, but dense breast tissue, to ensure they are cancer-free.
An AB-MRI lasts about 10-15 minutes and requires contrast administration. Therefore, a physician must refer you to get this screening. And we have some good news for all the ladies out there: it doesn’t require radiation exposure OR breast compression. However, you must meet a few other requirements for this procedure, including:
- No history of breast cancer
- No current breast pain
- Calculated lifetime risk of less than 20%
What about high-risk women?
For women who are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, an AB-MRI should not replace a more thorough diagnostic Breast MRI. You are considered high risk if you meet these criteria:
- A calculated lifetime risk of developing breast cancer that is greater than 20%
- Disease-causing genetic mutation (BRCA, p53, PTEN, STK11)
- First degree relative with a known disease-causing genetic mutation
- History of prior chest radiation therapy before age 30
- Personal history of breast cancer with dense breast tissue
Talk to your provider to see if an AB-MRI is right for you
An AB-MRI is a self-pay exam offered at Hancock Regional Hospital and Gateway Hancock Health for $299.00. You will need an order from your physician. If you have further questions or are ready to schedule your AB-MRI, contact the Network Navigation team at (317)468-4600.
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