Bridging the gap: clinical practice, guidelines, reimbursement and real-world challenges in breast imaging - webinar highlights

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Mammographic breast density is an identified independent risk factor to develop breast cancer. Nationwide breast cancer screening programs, which typically utilize X-ray mammography, decrease breast cancer-related deaths; however, breast density limits breast cancer detection on a mammogram. Contrast-enhanced breast imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the newer contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), have utility to improve early breast cancer detection. This report summarizes discussions held during the webinar, "Bridging the Gap: Clinical Practice, Guidelines, Reimbursement and Real-World Challenges in Breast Imaging." Experts from the United States and Europe examined critical aspects of breast MRI and CEM, focusing on the implementation of existing guidelines, payor policies, and barriers to their adoption. The conversation highlighted how these challenges affect broader implementation, reimbursement issues, the alignment of guidelines with payors, and patient dynamics.