Breast MRI

Breast MRI is a useful tool for women with an increased risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends annual breast MRI screening for women in the following groups:

• have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• have a first-degree relative (mother, father, brother, sister or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves
• have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20-25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history
• had radiation therapy to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
• have a genetic disease such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, Cowden Syndrome or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba Syndrome, or have a first-degree relative with one of these

Women in the following groups should discuss with their physician whether adding MRI to annual screenings would be beneficial:

• have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 15-20%, according to risk assessment tools that include family history
• have a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
• have extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms

Annual MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15% (instead, annual 3D screening mammograms are recommended for this patient group).

Your breast MRI will be performed by a trained female MRI technologist who will explain the procedure before getting started. The entire appointment should take 45 minutes to an hour, but we ask patients to allow two hours. After you check in, you will be shown to a private dressing room where you’ll change into a gown and remove all jewelry. For imaging, the technologist will position you for the scan. You’ll lie on your stomach with arms up over your head, entering the machine headfirst. Most patients receive contrast material called gadolinium through an intravenous (IV) injection. This contrast helps to differentiate cancerous tissue from noncancerous tissue. You’ll be asked to lie very still, relax, and breathe normally through the procedure. The scan itself should only take 20-25 minutes. Breast MRI does not require flattening or pressing down on the breast, so you should not experience any discomfort. You can resume normal activity as soon as your exam is complete.

• Breast MRI requires a physician referral.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
• If you suffer from anxiety or claustrophobia, you may request a mild sedative from your physician to bring with you on the day of your appointment.
• Breast MRI should be scheduled 7-10 days from the start of your menstrual cycle. This timing is important to minimize false positive findings that can occur due to hormonal effect on the breast tissue.

Please call 704-831-4200 if any of the following factors apply to you so that we may make arrangements:

• Cardiac Pacemaker
• Artificial heart valve prostheses
• Aneurysm clips
• Eye implants or metal ear implants or any metal implants activated electronically, magnetically or mechanically
• Copper 7 IUD
• Shrapnel or non-removed bullet
• Pregnancy
• Weight over 350 lbs
• Claustrophobia
• Any metal puncture(s) or fragment(s) in eye

If you’ve had prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds or breast MRIs at a facility other than Charlotte Radiology, you will be asked to provide contact information for the center so we can obtain these records before your scheduled appointment. Having prior records helps our Radiologists to identify any changes over time. If you would like Charlotte Radiology to request these on your behalf, please fill out our medical records release form one month prior to your scheduled appointment (it can take up to three weeks to receive records from an out of state provider).

After your exam, one of our subspecialized radiologists will review your images and fax a report directly to your primary physician.

• Morehead Medical Plaza (MMP) Breast Center

This procedure requires a physician referral. Please check with your insurance plan to confirm that the procedure is covered. You may be responsible for all or a portion of the bill.  Payment may be required at the time of service. Please call 980-233-5053 if you have questions about pricing, insurance coverage, and/or billing before your scheduled appointment.