An RMN Mamar is a noninvasive test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio wave pulses to produce images of the area being tested. It can find abnormalities in the breast tissue that are not found with a mammogram or ultrasound.

For the MRI, you will change into a hospital gown. If you are having a contrast MRI, the nurse will start an intravenous line (IV) in your arm. You will receive a solution of contrast dye called gadolinium through this IV. This will help the doctor find out if you have an infection or a possible cancerous growth in the breast. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes. You will need to lie very still during the MRI.

Clarity in Scans: Demystifying the Role and Importance of Breast MRI

You may hear thumping noises while the test is being done. A radiologist will watch you from another room. The radiologist will then review the results of your exam.

The radiologist will usually recommend that you have an ultrasound of the area of concern. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, your radiologist will probably suggest that you have both an MRI and mammogram on a six-month basis. Research shows that MRI can identify more cancers than mammography alone in women with dense breasts.

If an MRI shows an area of concern, your radiologist will probably ask you to have an ultrasound-guided biopsy. This is a more accurate test than the mammogram-guided biopsy because it does not damage tissue, and it is not as uncomfortable.