Breast MRI in New Jersey

Noninvasive & Radiation-Free Breast Imaging

Breast MRIs are radiation-free imaging tests that can help clarify results from a mammogram. This test is highly useful in situations where a patient has already received radiation therapy or radiation-imaging tests and still needs further imaging to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

Breast MRI is typically used on patients with high breast cancer risks. Some instances include:

• Women with a BRCA1 or BCRA2 mutation which increases breast cancer risks
• Women with an immediate relative who has a BRCA1 or BCRA2 mutation
• Women who have had radiation treatments on or around the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
• Women with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or an immediate relative who has one of these syndromes

Remember that just because your doctor recommended a breast MRI does not mean you have breast cancer. The purpose of this test is to further examine an abnormality found in the breast and decide whether or not treatment is needed.

What is a Breast MRI?

A breast MRI is not different than a standard MRI. Unlike many imaging tests, there is no radiation used in MRI. The test is painless and noninvasive. In some cases, you may need to receive an injection of contrast material to help create more detailed images. Breast MRIs should be scheduled in the middle of your menstrual cycle, about a week from when your period ended. If you are receiving hormone therapy, you must stop treatment for three weeks before the exam. You will also have to wait six to eight weeks after a lumpectomy, if you had one.

MRIs use magnets instead of radiation. Keeping this in mind, you should remove any metal from your person before the exam. This includes rings, piercings, eyeglasses, jewelry, hairpins, and other metallic items. Let your doctor know if you have a cochlear implant or pacemaker as these can be damaged during an MRI. All you have to do during an MRI is lie still while the machine performs a scan.