Our goal here is to answer your general questions about breast MRI and why the Aurora Dedicated System might be considered as the choice for breast MRI imaging. We have expanded answers to both “Am I a Candidate” and “What if I am at Risk“. If you have any other questions, or would just rather speak in person, please call us and our friendly staff will help.
Note: If you have been referred for a breast MRI, please visit “Referred for a Breast MRI” and download this brochure.
• What is breast MRI?
• Am I a candidate for a breast MRI?
• What is dedicated breast MRI?
• What is dense breast tissue and how is it related to breast MRI?
• What are the benefits of having a breast MRI performed?
• How should I prepare for a breast MRI exam?
• What should I wear to my appointment?
• What about implants and MRI?
• What should I expect during the exam?
• How long will the scan take?
• What should I expect after the exam?
• How do I find out the results?
What is breast MRI?
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool used for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. The technology has been used successfully in breast imaging and is playing an increasingly important role in earlier diagnostic accuracy. back to top
Am I a candidate for a breast MRI?
If you are at high-risk for breast cancer, you may be a candidate for an annual screening breast MRI, along with an annual screening mammogram. Please see the dedicated FAQ pages on “Am I a Candidate?” and “What if I am at High-Risk?”. back to top
What is dedicated breast MRI?
The Aurora Breast MRI System provides 3-D pictures of both breasts, the chest wall and the lymph nodes located under each arm. These high-resolution bilateral images have allowed specialists to make earlier and more accurate diagnoses. In addition, breast MRI does not require compression of the breast.
The Aurora Breast MRI system is the only commercially available, FDA cleared, MRI system designed specifically for 3-D bilateral breast imaging.
For more information, visit the Aurora Imaging website (corporate). back to top
What is dense breast tissue and how is it related to breast MRI?
According to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance, a third of women over 40 are at greater risk of developing breast cancer and they may not even know it. Women with dense breasts – breasts that have more breast tissue than fat – are four to five times more likely to develop breast cancer, yet according to a recent Harris survey 95 percent of women over 40 have no idea about their breast density and less than 10 percent of doctors are talking to their patients about their breast density and what it means for their breast cancer risk. (for additional information see Susan G. Komen and our Resources & News pages.) back to top
What are the benefits of having a breast MRI performed?
Breast MRI can detect very small cancers that mammograms overlook. While mammography still remains the standard in screening for breast cancer, it can miss up to 40 percent of cancers in women with dense breast tissue.
According to the American Cancer Society, combining the two tests gives doctors a better chance of finding breast cancer early in high-risk women, when it’s easier to treat and the chance of survival is greatest. back to top
How should I prepare for a breast MRI exam?
Please review our preparation guide before your exam. Contact us if you have further questions. back to top
What should I wear to my appointment?
Please dress comfortably – sweatpants and sneakers are perfect. It is important to not wear clothes with metal zippers, buttons or snaps; no metal is allowed in the MRI exam room. Women with longer hair, please bring an elastic (no metal) to pull back your hair for the exam.
Safety pins, straight pins, keys, cell phones, metal hair pins, hearing aids, eyeglasses, coins, watches and all jewelry must be removed before entering the room. (If you have a ring – such as a wedding band – or other jewelry that cannot be removed, it will be tested for magnetic attraction before you enter the MRI room.)
Also, do not take any credit or bank cards in with you. The scanner will erase the information recorded on the magnetic strip. back to top
What about implants and MRI?
Breast MRI is sometimes used to image silicone breast implants. If you have breast implants, it is important that you tell the staff member when he or she calls you prior to your exam. You will also need to tell us if the implants are filled with saline, silicone or oil, or a combination of these.
In addition, we need to know if the implant has a polyvinyl chloride sponge covering. Your plastic surgeon’s office will be able to provide this information to you. back to top
What should I expect during the exam?
Breast MRI is a relatively comfortable and easy exam. Your scan will be performed by a radiological technologist under the supervision of a radiologist (a medical doctor – M.D. – who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury by interpreting medical imaging techniques).
Upon arriving for your appointment, you’ll be greeted by our front office staff and asked to complete a set of screening forms. (You can also complete the screening paperwork now.)
After being escorted to your dressing room, the technologist will review your screening questionnaire, inform you about the contrast injection and the scanning process, and answer any questions you have concerning your scan.
Once in the exam room, the technologist will ask you to lie on your stomach on a cushioned bed. Your breasts will be positioned within a padded cutout on the bed. The bed will move into the magnet for the exam.
A series of pictures will be taken, then you will receive an injection of a contrast agent called gadolinium. (Unlike contrast agents used in other radiology studies, gadolinium does not contain iodine and therefore rarely causes allergic reactions or side effects. But please tell the technologist if you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to MRI contrast in the past.)
Immediately after the injection, a matching series of pictures will be taken. These images (with contrast) will be compared to the images without contrast. For this reason, you must remain in the same position throughout the entire exam.
When the MRI exam begins, you will hear a muffled thumping sound that will last for several minutes. (This is when the scanner takes its pictures.) You may also feel a slight vibration, which is normal. Just relax – even take a nap – but you must lie as still as possible since any movement can distort the image.
Other than sound and a slight vibration, you should experience no other sensation during scanning. When scanning is complete, the technologist will return to help you off the table. back to top
How long will the scan take?
The average breast MRI scan takes 30 to 45 minutes. back to top
What should I expect after the exam?
Once your scan is complete, you may resume normal activities and diet. Before you leave, your technologist will review the post-contrast instruction sheet and phone numbers in case you experience any discomfort or a delayed reaction to the gadolinium. back to top
How do I find out the results?
Your referring physician will receive the results within 24 hours and will then contact you to discuss the findings. Your doctor can make arrangements with us if your results are needed urgently. back to top