"Women who have had breast cancer should consider annual screening with breast MRI in addition to an annual mammogram new research indicates. Currently the American Cancer Society recommends annual breast MRI plus mammography for women at very high risk for breast cancer such as those with a known genetic mutation known as BRCA or those with a very strong family history. But it takes no position on MRI imaging for women who have had breast cancer saying there is not enough evidence to recommend one way or the other. Studying the effectiveness of MRI screening on all three groups of women Dr. Wendy DeMartini an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington Medical School said MRI imaging found proportionally more cancers in women who had been treated for breast cancer than in the women considered at very high risk. Women in the personal history group who had MRI were also less likely to be recalled for additional testing and less likely to have a biopsy for a false positive finding she said. DeMartini was scheduled to present the findings Sunday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. For the study her team reviewed initial breast MRI exams of  women conducted from January  to June . Of these  had a genetic or family history  had a personal history of breast cancer that had been treated.  Overall the MRI detected  of  cancers DeMartini said. With the MRI screen we found cancer in just over  percent of women with a personal history which was double that found in those with a genetic or family history she said. However still more research is needed to clarify the role of MRI in this population she said. The findings are impressive said Dr. Robert Smith director of cancer screening for the American Cancer Society. While the society recommends neither for nor against MRI imaging for those with a personal history of breast cancer he said it regularly reviews study findings to determine if the guidelines need updating. There are some tumors that dont show up on mammography as well as they do on MRI he explained. MRI highlights angiogenesis the formation of new blood vessels especially those that feed cancerous tissues. Until more research is in what should a woman with a personal history of breast cancer do She should talk to her doctor Smith said. He doesnt see a downside to getting an MRI except perhaps an increased risk of false positives and perhaps a need to pay out of pocket. More information To learn more about breast cancer screening visit the American Cancer Society http SOURCES Wendy DeMartini M.D. assistant professor breast imaging University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seattle Robert Smith M.D. American Cancer Society Atlanta Ga. Nov.   presentation Radiological Society of North America annual meeting Nov.   Chicago"