This is an MRI of your breasts to look for any signs of breast cancer.

There are expected to be about 180,000 new cases of breast cancer and about 40,000 deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2008. Most doctors feel that early detection of breast cancer can be life-saving. Recently, guidelines were updated to recommend annual breast MRI to women 30 years (age recommendations vary somewhat) and older who have greater than or equal to 20% lifetime risk (or 15-20% in certain cases) for developing breast cancer according to results of breast risk assessment tools which look at primarily patient and family history. Breast cancer risk may be assessed by your healthcare provider or using a variety of online tools including, www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/. Breast MRI is also recommended for certain other women at increased risk including those who have had radiation to the chest or those who have certain genetic syndromes.

This test is performed in an MR scanner. You will be positioned face-down on a moveable table, which will then glide into the cylinder-shaped MR tube. The scanning procedure will then begin. You will receive an intravenous injection of contrast material at some point during the procedure. The procedure is usually completed within an hour or less. You will hear some loud repetitive noises during the exam. Some people experience claustrophobia in the MR scanner, as it is a somewhat confined space. If you think this may be a problem for you, your physician may suggest other options.

You will be given special instructions before the exam. Breast MRI is usually preferred between the 7th and 14th days of the menstrual cycle. You will be asked to remove all metal for the exam, and you will be given a questionnaire to determine that you do not have any contraindications to MRI such as brain aneurysm clip, cardiac pacemaker, and numerous other metal devices. Other instructions may be given.

• Female
• Age > 40 and especially age > 50
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Gene mutations including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
• Family history of male breast cancer
• Prior abnormal breast biopsy
• Ethnicity (highest incidence in Caucasians, highest death rate African-American)
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• Prior chest radiation therapy
• Menarche < 12
• Menopause > 55
• DES intake
• First child after age 30 or no children
• > 1 alcoholic beverage per day
• Obesity especially after menopause
• Hormone therapy (some controversy); strongest association in people on recent or current combined estrogen/progesterone therapy
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High fat diet (maybe)
• Many others remain controversial: anti-perspirants, pollution, night-shift work, underwire bras, induced abortion, breast implants, smoking, secondhand smoke