Breast MRI

Breast MRI is a sophisticated technology that uses a computer, magnetic field and radio waves instead of x-rays to produce images of the soft tissues in the body. This non-invasive procedure helps Radiology Associates’ board-certified mammography trained physicians to better evaluate the breast in special circumstances.

Learn More About Breast MRI

Breast MRI has been proven to be more sensitive than any other modality in detecting invasive breast cancer. MRI is superior at demonstrating the size and extent of a breast tumor prior to surgery. In addition, it is beneficial for screening patients at particularly high risk for breast cancer due to genetic predisposition or strong family history, diagnosing breast implant rupture, staging breast cancer and planning treatment. MRI also plays an important role in post-surgical and post-radiation follow-up.

If MRI is used, it should be in addition to, not instead of, a screening mammogram. While an MRI is more likely to detect cancer than a mammogram, it may still miss some cancers that a mammogram would detect. MRI also has a higher false positive rate (where the test finds things that turn out to not be cancer), which would result in unneeded biopsies and other tests if performed on a large portion of women.

How Should I Prepare?

Prepare to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. The entire appointment will take 45 minutes to an hour. If you suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a mild sedative. Do not take the sedative until you have signed your paperwork.

The MRI scan will only take approximately 20 minutes. There are typically no side effects during or after MRI, so you can resume normal activities as soon as your exam is over. It is very important that any prior breast imaging (mammograms, ultrasound or MRI) be made available to the radiologist for comparison during the interpretation of your MRI scan. Please not during pre-registration, if you have had these at a facility other than Radiology Associates or Tallahassee Diagnostic Imaging, please bring them with you on the day of your appointment.

If you have any of the items listed below, please call 850-878-4127 so we can make arrangements for you before your appointment. Many of these items are contraindications to having an MRI as they are not compatible with the magnetic field present around all MRI machines.

  • Cardiac Pacemaker
  • Artificial heart valve prostheses
  • Aneurysm clips
  • Copper 7 IUD
  • Eye implants, metal ear implants,  shrapnel or non-removed bullet, or any other metal implants activated electronically, magnetically or mechanically
When will I receive results?

Your exam will be reviewed by one of our board-certified radiologists, who will interpret the images and generate a detailed report. This report will be sent to your referring physician within five business days. Once finalized, your results will also be available through our online patient portal for your review and reference. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your results, please contact your referring doctor directly.

What should I expect?

When you arrive you will be asked to complete registration regarding your history and symptoms. We will escort you into a private dressing room where you will change into a gown and remove all jewelry. A female technologist will position you for the scan. During the exam, you will lie on your stomach with your arms up over your head. Avoid eating a large meal prior to the exam. Most patients receive an injection of contrast material called gadolinium during the exam through an intravenous injection. An IV will be placed in your hand or arm. The injection of contrast material is necessary if the MRI is being performed for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Assessment of breast implant integrity is usually performed without the need for contrast.

Who Needs a Breast MRI?

The American Cancer Society recommends annual breast MRI alongside a mammogram for women at high risk (lifetime risk of 20% or more), including those who:

  • Have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation

  • Have a first-degree relative with a BRCA mutation and haven’t had testing themselves

  • Had radiation to the chest between ages 10 and 30

  • Have a genetic syndrome like Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba—or a close relative with one

  • Are assessed to have a 20% or greater lifetime breast cancer risk using tools like BRCAPRO or the Tyrer-Cuzick model

Moderate Risk (15–20%): Women with a personal history of breast cancer, DCIS, LCIS, ADH, or very dense breasts should talk with their doctor about whether MRI screening is right for them.

Low Risk (<15%): MRI screening is not routinely recommended.

Your doctor may use a risk assessment tool to estimate your lifetime risk and help decide if breast MRI screening should be part of your care.