New breast cancer screening trials could detect cancers earlier
A new trial is investigating whether a FAST MRI can detect breast cancer earlier than a mammogram
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
A breast cancer screening study is investigating whether a new, faster MRI scan, FAST MRI, could detect breast cancers earlier for women in their early fifties.
Led by North Bristol NHS Trust, the FAST MRI DYAMOND study is investigating whether FAST MRI, can help with the earlier detection of small but aggressive breast cancers.
The study is taking place across 6 sites in the UK and will run over three and a half years.
The site are cancer units in Bristol, Cheltenham, Swindon, Truro, and London (at both St George’s and King’s College Hospitals).
Researchers are looking to recruit 1,000 women aged between 50 to 52 when they are called for their first mammogram.
The study is focused on finding cancers early for women with average breast density.
It’s aiming to detect any cancers that may not be picked up routinely by mammograms during a first screening visit.
FAST MRI is a shortened form of breast MRI scan that has already been proven to find aggressive cancers smaller than a centimetre for women with dense breasts.
The study is being funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research with grants of £1.36 million.
This is the first time in the UK that breast MRI scans will be offered to women with average breast density at their routine screening mammogram.
Dr Lyn Jones, Consultant Radiologist and FAST MRI Programme Lead, said:
“Each woman’s breasts are unique.
“As well as differences in size and shape, they vary by density, which determines how white or dark they look on mammograms.
“We know that FAST MRI can find cancers earlier than mammograms for women with dense breasts.
“The DYAMOND study will discover whether women with average breast density could benefit from having a FAST MRI scan too.”
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK.
The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chance of survival as it enables breast cancer treatments to be more effective.
A FAST MRI scan takes just three minutes – almost seven times faster than a standard breast MRI.
The FAST MRI would also give patients a better experience while getting screened as there would be no need to flatten the breast like it would be during a mammogram, and no need for radiation if getting an X-ray.
If the trial is successful it’s hoped to be rolled out across the UK.