Improving Breast Cancer Detection in Higher Risk Women: A Multi-Modality Imaging Evaluation in a Private Screening Clinic

Abstract

Introduction: While 2D mammography is the standard for breast cancer screening, its sensitivity is reduced in dense breasts, impacting early detection and extent assessment. This study, for the first time in New Zealand, evaluated the utility of supplementary multi-modality imaging (tomosynthesis, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) in a risk-stratified population.

Methods: A retrospective case study (May 2022–September 2023, New Zealand private clinic) analysed patients by Tyrer-Cuzick (TC) v8 lifetime risk and by Volpara density categories. All patients in the screening pathway (n = 2171) underwent 2D mammography and tomosynthesis. Those patients with high breast density received supplementary ultrasound, and those with TC8 Risk scores of ≥ 30% were offered abbreviated MRI. Symptomatic patients (n = 230) underwent standard diagnostic workup. Detection rates and extent of disease using multi-modality imaging were compared.

Results: Of the 2401 patients, 205 were high-risk criteria (≥ 30%) and 19 breast cancers (16 invasive, 3 DCIS only) were diagnosed. Tomosynthesis identified 38% (6/16) more invasive cancers than 2D mammography alone. Ultrasound and MRI detected an additional 27% (4/16) invasive cancers occult on other modalities, predominantly in those women with high density (Volpara ‘D’) breasts. Ultrasound and particularly MRI demonstrated superior accuracy in assessing disease extent, including identifying multi-focal and multi-centric disease that was not detected by 2D or tomosynthesis.

Conclusion: Supplementary imaging modalities, particularly MRI, significantly improve breast cancer detection and assessment of disease extent in high-risk women. These findings support a personalised screening approach integrating risk assessment and breast density to guide imaging modality selection.