Research is needed to study an alternative to MRI screening in the population screening programme for breast cancer

Research is needed to study an alternative to MRI screening to detect breast cancer in women with extremely dense breast tissue. In these women, tumours are less visible in standard mammograms. MRI screening is more effective in this regard, but the benefits barely outweigh the drawbacks involved with that. Moreover, it is not efficient to invest in supplement MRI into the population screening programme, as there may be a simpler and cheaper alternative. The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends that trial screening to study this option at the earliest opportunity.

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