[2022-03-27] Breast MRI

I had my annual breast MRI today, the complement to my mammogram of last Thursday. These two diagnostic tests are the foundation of my yearly screening for breast cancer.

Because of my BRCA2 gene change—which puts me at a 50-85% chance of developing breast cancer—I am in the High-Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program. That means annual tests until I have a bilateral mastectomy.

Wondering what the guidelines are for breast cancer screening in Ontario?
"The Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends that most women ages 50 to 74 get screened with mammography every 2 years" and that "women ages 30 to 69 who meet the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program eligibility criteria get screened every year with both mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or screening breast ultrasound if MRI is not medically appropriate)."

Wondering who qualifies as high risk in Ontario?
"Ontario women ages 30 to 69 can get screened through the High Risk OBSP if they have a referral from their doctor, a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan number, no acute breast symptoms, and fall into one of the following risk categories:
  • "Are known to have a gene mutation that increases their risk for breast cancer (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1)
  • "Are first-degree relatives (parent, brother, sister or child) of someone who has a gene mutation that increases their risk for breast cancer (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1), have already had genetic counselling and have chosen not to have genetic testing
  • "Have been assessed by a genetics clinic (using the IBIS or BOADICEA tools) as having a 25% or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer based on personal family history
  • "Have had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another cancer or condition (e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma) before age 30 and at least 8 years ago"
I qualify for high-risk screening based on the first criterion.

Wondering how to access breast cancer screening in Ontario and the rest of Canada?
"There are many Ontario Breast Screening Program locations across Ontario. If you are age 50 to 74 you can:
"If you are age 30 to 69 and you think you may be at high risk of getting breast cancer, you should visit your family doctor. Your family doctor can send you for an assessment or for screening based on your family and/or personal history."

The Canadian Cancer Society publishes a webpage entitled How do I find a breast cancer screening program? The page links to information for each province and territory.

I am a fan of preventive medicine, including vaccines, cancer treatment, prophylactic surgery and regular screening. In the case of breast cancer, Cancer Care Ontario states: "When breast cancer is found early, almost all women will survive for 5 years. However, if breast cancer is found later, only 2 out of 10 women will survive for 5 years."

If you are due for a mammogram, I encourage you to make an appointment today.