Table of contents:
- What is a Breast MRI?
- Why is it necessary to have a breast MRI?
- 1. Determine cancer progression
- 2. Perform breast cancer screening
- What should I prepare for a breast MRI?
- Schedule an MRI at the start of your menstrual cycle
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant
- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding
- Do not use anything metal during an MRI
- Tell the doctor about the implanted device in the body
- How is the breast MRI process?
- How to read breast MRI results
- Breast MRI risks to consider
One of the examinations or tests used to detect breast cancer is a breast MRI. How is this procedure done? What should be prepared before undergoing this procedure? Check out the full review below.
What is a Breast MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Breast MRI (MRI) is a test that uses magnets, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed images of the structure of the breast. Through this image, the doctor can see if there are any abnormalities in your breasts.
This procedure is usually done in conjunction with other breast cancer screening, such as mammography and ultrasonography (USG). An MRI test can show information about the condition of your breasts that the two imaging tests do not get.
Why is it necessary to have a breast MRI?
Reporting from the American Cancer Society, there are two common uses for MRI breasts, namely:
1. Determine cancer progression
Breast MRI is sometimes performed on women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This procedure is done to find out how far the cancer has progressed, look for other tumors in the breast, and check for possible tumors in other breasts.
However, not all women with breast cancer need this examination. Talk to your doctor about which tests are right for you.
2. Perform breast cancer screening
Screening or detection of breast cancer with MRI is generally performed on women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer, such as family history or other risk factors for breast cancer.
In women with this condition, usually an MRI test is done along with yearly mammography. If the MRI test is done alone, it is likely that there will be some missed cancer findings, which can only be found on mammography.
However, MRI is also possible to find things that are not cancer. Therefore, this test is not recommended in women who do not have a high risk of breast cancer.
In addition to the conditions above, here are some other conditions that doctors may recommend doing a breast MRI:
- You have a suspected leaky or ruptured breast implant.
- You have a high risk of developing breast cancer by a 20-25 percent chance.
- You have very dense breast tissue, which previously could not be detected by mammography.
- You have a history of breast precancer, such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ.
- You have a breast cancer gene mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
- You had radiation treatment to the chest area before the age of 30.
What should I prepare for a breast MRI?
Before performing a breast MRI, you should pay attention to the following things in order to give maximum results. Here are some preparations that you must do:
It is important to schedule the MRI at the start of the menstrual cycle. The best time is between the seventh and 14th day of your monthly cycle.
However, if you are premenopausal, an MRI may be scheduled at a specific time during your menstrual cycle, around days three to 14. Tell your doctor about your menstrual cycle and the doctor will determine the right time for you to do the MRI.
MRI generally uses a dye to make the images easier to interpret. This substance will usually be given through a vein in the arm. Therefore, you should tell your doctor if you have allergies to certain substances to avoid complications.
The dye commonly used to improve MRI image quality (gadolinium) can cause serious complications in people with kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of this disease.
Generally, MRI is not recommended for pregnant women because of the potential risk of gadolinium effects on the baby.
If you are breastfeeding, your doctor may recommend that you stop breastfeeding your baby for two days after the MRI of the breast. Although the effect is low on babies, you should do this if you are worried.
Metal objects, such as jewelry or watches, can be damaged during the MRI process. It's best to leave your jewelry at home or take it off before the MRI is done.
If you have an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, implanted drug port or artificial joint, tell your doctor before an MRI is done.
How is the breast MRI process?
The breast MRI machine includes a flat table that slides in and out. The wheel-like area houses the magnets and radio waves that produce images of your breasts.
Before scan, You're going to put on your hospital clothes and take off all your jewelry. If you are using a contrast dye, an IV will be placed in your arm so that the dye can be injected into your bloodstream.
In the MRI room, you will lie on your stomach on the table. Then you will enter the machine. The technical expert will instruct you, such as when to stay still and hold your breath. Instructions will be given through the microphone.
You will not feel the machine running, but you will hear loud noises. Usually the technician will provide ear plugs to solve this.
The test usually lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour. Once the image has been recorded, you can exit and the procedure is finished.
How to read breast MRI results
The results of the MRI breast examination will usually be reviewed by a radiologist. The medical team at the hospital will then contact you to discuss the test results.
Similar to an x-ray, the MRI results are black and white. Tumors and abnormalities in the breast will appear as white spots, due to the contrast dye accumulating in increased cell activity.
If the MRI of the breast shows cells that are suspected of being cancer, the doctor may order a breast biopsy. A biopsy will confirm whether the tissue is cancerous or not.
Breast MRI risks to consider
MRI of the breast is considered a safe type of examination because it does not use radiation, such as a CT scan. However, breast MRI also has several other risks, such as:
- Inaccurate results. This test cannot always distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous growths. You may need to have an unnecessary biopsy if it turns out that the biopsy shows that you have a benign tumor.
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye.
- Serious complications in someone with kidney problems.
