ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Supplemental Breast Cancer Screening Based on Breast Density: 2024 Update

Screening mammography has been proven to reduce the mortality from breast cancer by approximately 30%, however, it is less sensitive in women with dense breast tissue and certain risk groups. Supplemental screening may be considered based on the patient’s risk level and breast density. In all women, digital breast tomosynthesis improves screening sensitivity. Average-risk women with heterogeneously dense tissue may also benefit from breast MRI, abbreviated breast MRI (AB-MRI) or breast ultrasound (US). In intermediate-risk women with nondense tissue, breast MRI and ABMRI may be appropriate. In intermediate-risk women with heterogeneously dense and extremely dense tissue, breast MRI and AB-MRI are usually appropriate, whereas US and contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) may be appropriate. Breast MRI or ABMRI is usually appropriate in all high-risk women, regardless of density. Screening breast US or CEM could be considered in this population.

The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.