What does breast MRI treat?

A breast MRI may help investigate a finding from an examination or another scan, assess the extent of a known breast cancer, or examine breast tissue when a person has a BRCA gene mutation or another elevated-risk situation. Contrast material may be used to make certain areas easier to see. MRI findings are interpreted alongside examination and other tests; an MRI image alone does not prove cancer.

Tell the imaging team about implants, kidney problems, allergies, metal fragments, or possible pregnancy. You will usually lie on your stomach while the breasts are positioned in the scanner, and you need to remain still. Ask whether contrast is planned and how to receive the results. A mammogram may be recommended as a complementary test.

Contact the imaging service before the appointment if you have a device or medical condition that could affect MRI safety, or if you are unsure about contrast. After the scan, seek medical help for severe breathing difficulty, facial swelling, or fainting.

Ask why MRI has been recommended, what question the scan is intended to answer, whether another test is also needed, and when the report will be reviewed. Ask what a further scan or biopsy would mean if an area appears unclear.