The DENSE studies are scientific studies into additional breast cancer screening in women with very dense breast tissue. This page provides information about the studies and answers to frequently asked questions.
DENSE studies
The first DENSE study researched whether women with very dense breast tissue benefit from an additional MRI scan in addition to standard breast cancer screening. The results showed that when using MRI, cases of breast cancer went undetected less frequently. However, this form of screening is not currently used in the population screening programme. The scan is costly and requires significant capacity in hospitals.
Based on the results of the first study, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued an advisory report in 2020. The council's report concluded that MRI is effective, but that research into more future-proof solutions is needed first. The council therefore recommended to investigate whether there are workable and affordable alternatives. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) adopted this advice and decided to conduct a follow-up study.
The DENSE-2 study, which was launched in November 2024, provides a follow-up to this advice. This study examines whether two new techniques are suitable for additional screening of women with very dense breast tissue: a contrast-enhanced mammogram and an abbreviated MRI scan. Both techniques are less expensive and require less capacity than the long MRI scan from the first DENSE study. The results of the DENSE-2 study are expected in 2031.
If you want to know more about the DENSE-2 study, please go to DENSE-2 (in Dutch).
Questions and answers
Both studies are about a different way of examining breasts in women with very dense breast tissue, namely MRI. There is a difference between the MRI scan in the earlier DENSE study and the MRI scan in the DENSE-2 study.
In the DENSE study, the MRI scan took about 20 minutes, while in the DENSE-2 study, it only takes about 5 minutes. We therefore call the MRI scan in the DENSE-2 study an abbreviated MRI scan.
In the DENSE-2 study, we also investigate another technique, namely a contrast-enhanced mammogram.
Participation in the DENSE-2 study is only possible if you receive an invitation from the Centre for Population Screening. You cannot self-enrol for this study.