Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) goes above and beyond conventional breast imaging, often providing solutions to tough diagnostic problems and identifying breast tumors that other exams would fail to detect. Breast MRI is a technology that uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of the breast. It is more invasive than mammography because a contrast agent is given through an IV before the procedure.

At this time, breast MRI is mostly used in breast cancer diagnosis and staging. It is also used in breast cancer screening for women at higher risk.

For women at higher risk of breast cancer

There is growing evidence that mammography plus breast MRI, compared to mammography alone, can increase detection of breast cancer in:

• Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• Women with a strong family history of breast cancer

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends yearly screening with mammography plus breast MRI for some women at higher risk of breast cancer. This includes women with:

• A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
• A first-degree relative with a BRCA1/2 mutation, but personally have not been tested for BRCA1/2 mutations
• Radiation treatment to the chest area between ages 10 and 30
• Li-Fraumeni, Cowden or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (or a p53 or PTEN gene mutation)
• An ATM, CHEK2 or PALB2 gene mutation
• A greater than 20% lifetime risk of invasive breast cancer based mainly on family history.

At the Health First Breast Centers we offer state-of-the-art MRI technology. We can also offer MRI-guided biopsies.