New Breast Cancer Screening Study Investigates Faster MRI Scans in Early Fifties Women

Strategic Insights -

North Bristol NHS Trust's FAST MRI DYAMOND study is investigating whether a new, faster magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, FAST MRI, can detect breast cancers earlier for women in their early fifties. The study is focusing on women with average breast density and aims to detect cancers that may not be picked up by routine mammograms. FAST MRI has already been proven to find aggressive cancers smaller than a centimetre in women with dense breasts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAST MRI DYAMOND study is a breast cancer screening study investigating the use of FAST MRI in women aged 50-52 with average breast density.
  • The study aims to detect cancers that may not be picked up by routine mammograms and has already proven to find aggressive cancers smaller than a centimetre in women with dense breasts.
  • The study is jointly funded by grants of £1.36 million from the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
  • FAST MRI scans are up to seven times faster than standard breast MRI scans, taking just three minutes.
  • The NHS Breast Screening Programme already saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK by detecting breast cancers before they can be seen or felt.
  • The FAST MRI study has received support from charity BUST, which has donated over £2.5 million to purchase and install an MRI scanner at NBT's Cossham Hospital.
  • The study will run over three and a half years at six NHS sites in Bristol, Cheltenham, Swindon, Truro, and London, recruiting 1,000 women aged around 50-52.

Statistics:

  • 4 in 10 women are likely to have average breast density at age 50-52 (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)
  • Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)
  • FAST MRI scans take just three minutes, almost seven times faster than standard breast MRI scans (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)
  • The NHS Breast Screening Programme already saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)
  • Charity BUST has donated over £2.5 million to support the FAST MRI study (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)
  • The FAST MRI DYAMOND study has £1.36 million in funding from the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (Source: North Bristol NHS Trust)

Sources:

  • North Bristol NHS Trust
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)