Women at risk of breast cancer refuse MRIs

Up to 42 per cent of women at intermediate or high risk of getting breast cancer decide not to get the recommended MRI screening, even if it’s offered for free, according to U.S. researchers. In fact, one-quarter of women in the study were offered free screening but opted to pass because they felt claustrophobic inside the scanners. Others declined because of the costs that would be involved if something needed following up, and others said they didn’t have the time. In the study, 1,215 women at intermediate or high risk were identified. Even the high risk women, who have a 25 per cent greater lifetime risk of breast cancer, were somewhat unwilling to get the test. Of the 512 women who declined, 25 per cent refused because of claustrophobia, 18 per cent because of a lack of time, 12 per cent cited financial concerns if cancers were identified, 9 per cent said their doctor wouldn’t refer them and 8 per cent said they weren’t interested.

Reuters