Early screening reduces breast cancer mortality in childhood cancer survivors

Initiating annual breast cancer screenings with MRI in survivors of childhood cancer once they are between the ages of 25 to 30 years reduces breast cancer mortality by half or more, according to a study.

Researchers utilized a collaborative simulation modeling using 2 Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network breast cancer models and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and published data.

Without screening, the lifetime breast cancer mortality risk was 10% to 11% across models. Initiating screenings with annual mammography with MRI at 25 years old prevented 56% to 71% of deaths, and annual MRI without mammography prevented 56% to 62% of deaths.

Reference

Yeh JM, Lowry KP, Schechter CB, et al. Clinical benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening for survivors of childhood cancer treated with chest radiation. Ann Intern Med. 2020; https://doi.org/10.7326/M19-3481