When you come in for your breast MRI, you’ll change into a cozy gown and take off any jewelry or metal items—it’s important because they can mess with the MRI machine’s magnetic field. You won’t feel any squeezing or discomfort during the study, because your breasts won’t be compressed at all. If you’re someone who gets a bit anxious or claustrophobic, you can speak with your physician about taking something to help you relax before the appointment.
If we’re checking for breast cancer, you might get a special contrast injection during the study. The whole study only takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
If you’ve had any previous breast imaging done somewhere else, like ultrasounds or mammograms, be sure to bring those along with you. Our radiologists view them for comparison and interpreting your breast MRI results.
Preparing for a breast MRI is straightforward. Here is what you can do to get ready for your appointment:
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to change out of, as you’ll need to put on a gown for the study.
• Remove all jewelry and metal objects, like watches and belts, as they can interfere with the MRI machine’s magnetic field.
• If you have had any breast imaging done with another provider, please let your physician or our staff know to ensure all reports and images are available for comparison.
• In some cases, you may be advised to avoid eating or drinking before your appointment.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, an MRI could be a screening option for you. Strong family history refers to close relatives like your mom or sister who had breast cancer before the age of 50. But, it also includes other family members like aunts and cousins – even on your dad’s side. Any relatives having other forms of cancer such as ovarian cancer, can contribute to your risk too. Our radiologist or your primary care physician can take a look at your family history and see if an MRI breast screening is right for you. Genetic counseling may be recommended to help understand your risk further.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your physician may recommend a breast MRI to understand the following:
• The size of the cancer and whether it is spreading to surrounding tissue
• If there are other cancers present in the same breast or in the opposite breast
• Assess the lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread in that area
• If a mammogram or ultrasound shows an unclear result, a breast MRI can provide a much clearer picture and determine if further studies are needed.
The FDA suggests that getting an MRI is the most accurate way to check if your silicone implants have ruptured. When getting an MRI for your implants, it is a bit different than a traditional one. We use additional equipment that is not always available at each of our centers. When scheduling your appointment, please inform our staff of the purpose of the MRI.
Once your breast MRI is complete, one of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists will analyze the results and develop a detailed report for your physician. Your physician will receive the report within 48 hours and follow up with you to go over the results.
After 5 – 7 days, your reports and images will be available to you via our easy-to-access patient portal.
South Jersey Radiology is in-network with 99% of health insurance providers. If you are unsure about our network status with your health insurance provider, please contact your provider directly. In some cases, insurance companies may attempt to tell you which radiology centers are preferred. As the patient, you have the right to choose if you would like your study performed as South Jersey Radiology.