Choose Southcoast Health for the Newest Breast MRI Technology in Fall River, Dartmouth & Wareham, MA
A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging exam. It uses painless magnetic fields to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast and its structures. Breast MRI can help our doctors at the Southcoast Breast Center diagnose or rule out breast conditions, including breast cancer. It involves lying face down on a moveable exam table that slides into the cylinder-shaped MRI tube.
A radiology technician will likely perform your breast MRI at Southcoast. A radiologist will interpret the results and send a report to the doctor who ordered the MRI, so your doctor can share the results with you.
Reasons for a Breast MRI
Your doctor may recommend a breast MRI for the following reasons:
- Determination of the extent of breast cancer after a new diagnosis
- Evaluation of a breast abnormality from a mammogram or breast ultrasound
- Evaluation of a tumor before surgery
- Evaluation of the breast after previous breast cancer surgery
- Evaluation of silicone breast implants
- Supplemental breast cancer screening in women at high risk for breast cancer or with dense breast tissue
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Premenopausal women need to consider their menstrual cycle when scheduling a breast MRI. The best timing is during days seven to 15. Plan to call for your appointment on the day your period starts
You will need to remove all metal and wear a gown during a breast MRI. The exam takes about an hour, during which you need to remain perfectly still. Movement interferes with the imaging, which may mean you need to repeat the exam.
If you are anxious about the exam or suffer from claustrophobia, talk with your doctor beforehand about medications or techniques that may help alleviate your anxiety.
After Your Breast MRI
The results of your breast MRI will guide your next steps. If the results are benign (not cancerous), no further treatment may be necessary. In other cases, your doctor at Southcoast may recommend additional exams or treatments.
Through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, you can trust every part of your breast care to our team of oncologists and surgeons at the Southcoast Breast Center — contact us or find a doctor near you today.
Patients rely on Southcoast Health for diagnostic imaging expertise, including breast MRIs for patients in Fall River, New Bedford, Wareham, and surrounding areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.