You should speak to your primary care physician or gynecologist about when you should start getting routine mammograms and other screenings included in women’s health services. Fortunately, some clinics offer 3D mammograms, which can provide your practitioner with a complex and detailed view of your breasts’ tissue.
In some cases though, a practitioner may want to more thoroughly evaluate your breast tissue with an MRI of your breast.
Definition of a Breast MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, is part of radiology. Medical professionals use it to capture an image of the inside of the body. In terms of women’s health, an MRI can be used to look inside of your breast tissue to look for cancer.
An MRI requires you to lay down on a long surface and be inserted into a large tube machine. MRI machines use magnetic fields and radio waves to create an image of the inside of the body.
An MRI specifically for breasts has breast coils that allow you to lie face down with your breast in a portion of the device. As you pass through the machine, it takes an image of the inside of your breast.
Benefits of an MRI for Breasts
Sometimes, an MRI is recommended after you’ve already had a mammogram. For some, it’s recommended along with a mammogram. No matter how you’re advised to have one, an MRI can offer certain benefits.
More Sensitive Than a Mammogram
An MRI can detect cancer better. It can help detect an invasive breast cancer sooner than if you would have a mammogram only. It can also help your physician determine if a mass that was found on a mammogram is cancerous. Therefore, you can find cancer when it’s still in its early stage – when it’s easier to treat and hasn’t spread beyond your breast.
Ideal for High-Risk Women
If you are high risk for breast cancer, your practitioner may recommend you receive both a mammogram and a breast MRI from an advanced imaging center. You may need both tests because a mammogram can miss cancer that an MRI can detect.
You could be at a higher risk if you have either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. A BRCA mutation means you’re genetically at a higher risk for cancer. A BRCA mutation indicates you’re at a higher risk for ovarian and/or breast cancer. Another reason you could be high risk is if it runs in your family history. You also classify as high risk if you had radiation in between your chest between the ages of 10 and 30. Your risk is greater if you have a genetic disorder like Cowden syndrome, as well.
Ideal for Women with Dense Breast Tissue
One issue that occurs with a standard mammogram is a false positive. Often, this stems from dense breast tissue. It’s more difficult to read a mammogram of a woman who has dense breast tissue through a standard MRI, which can lead to false positive diagnoses. With an MRI, a doctor can more thoroughly and accurately evaluate you for breast cancer.
Why Choose Our Bronx, NY Imaging Center for Your Next Mammogram or Breast MRI
Starling Diagnostics has technologically advanced equipment to perform 3D mammograms and breast MRIs at our imaging center. We have a skilled team that can accurately perform any testing you require. Plus, with a caring staff like ours, we’re here for you throughout every step of your testing.
Schedule an appointment for a breast MRI at Starling Diagnostics today, serving Bronx and the surrounding New York area, by calling 718-319-1610. For your convenience, you can also use our online scheduling form.
