The Fast MRI scan, which takes about three minutes, is designed to identify breast cancers that may be overlooked by mammograms, particularly in women with average breast density.

Notably, Fast MRI can detect aggressive cancers smaller than one centimeter and offers the advantage of not requiring breast compression, thus reducing discomfort and eliminating radiation exposure.

A new initiative, the Fast MRI Dyamond study, aims to determine if these scans can detect breast cancers earlier than traditional mammograms, especially for tumors that are difficult to spot.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and early detection significantly improves survival rates, underscoring the importance of this study.

Participant Diana Dalgliesh shared her personal experience of losing her sister to breast cancer, which went undetected by a mammogram shortly before her diagnosis.

Currently, the NHS Breast Screening Programme provides mammograms every three years to women aged 50 to 70, saving approximately 1,300 lives annually in the UK by detecting cancers early.

The Fast MRI Dyamond study is funded by £1.36 million in grants from the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, aiming to recruit 1,000 participants across six NHS sites in the UK.

This study marks the first time breast MRI scans will be offered to women with average breast density during routine mammogram screenings in the UK.

Led by North Bristol NHS Trust, the study will involve approximately 1,000 women aged 50 to 52 at six NHS sites, including Cheltenham, Swindon, and Truro.

A donation of over £2.5 million from the charity BUST has provided a new MRI scanner to facilitate the study, increasing scanning capacity for outpatient cancer diagnoses.

Dalgliesh believes that an MRI scan could have potentially identified her sister's cancer earlier, emphasizing the need for multiple screening options.

The study, which began in January 2024 and will run for three and a half years, aims to inform future trials on the potential benefits of Fast MRI in reducing breast cancer mortality and healthcare costs.