Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A breast MRI is a safe imaging test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves (not x-rays) to produce highly detailed images of breast tissue. During the imaging test, you will receive a contrast agent through an IV to highlight abnormal breast tissue.

Breast MRI is the most sensitive imaging test to detect breast cancer. Your doctor may recommend a breast MRI as a screening exam in addition to your annual mammogram if you are at high risk of developing breast cancer or have dense breasts. Your doctor may also recommend a diagnostic breast MRI if you have symptoms of breast cancer.

UPMC breast imaging experts use leading-edge MRI imaging technology to accurately diagnose all types of breast disorders, ensuring that you receive the most advanced care.

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What Is Breast MRI?

What do I need to schedule a breast MRI appointment?

To schedule a breast MRI appointment, you will need a prescription from your healthcare provider and your health insurance plan may require preauthorization. You may want to check with your health insurance provider to determine what your out-of-pocket cost (if any) will be. If asked by your insurer, the CPT code is 77049. Abbreviated MRI is billed to insurance with a “-52” modifier.

Types of breast MRI

There are two types of breast MRI, including:

Full-protocol breast MRI — Also known as a traditional breast MRI, this procedure involves using a contrast agent and takes 30-60 minutes. It may be recommended as a screening exam in addition to mammography if you are at high risk for breast cancer, or if you have breast cancer or symptoms of breast cancer.
Abbreviated ("fast") breast MRI (AB-MRI)— This procedure involves using a contrast agent and takes 7-10 minutes. It may be recommended in addition to mammography as a screening test for women who are at high risk for breast cancer.

Conditions we diagnose with breast MRI

Atypical ductal hyperplasia.
Atypical lobular hyperplasia.
Breast cancer.
Breast cysts.
Fibroadenomas.
Fibroepithelial lesion.
Flat epithelial atypia.
Intraductal papilloma.
Lobular carcinoma-in-situ.
Microcalcifications.
Mucocele-like lesion.
Radial scar.

Why Would I Need a Breast MRI?

A breast MRI is often used as a supplemental screening exam in patients with:

Dense breast tissue and a family history of breast cancer in mother or sister or two second-degree relatives on the same side of the family (e.g. two aunts or aunt and grandmother on your mother's side).
Elevated risk for breast cancer (>20 percent lifetime risk).
Extremely dense breast tissue.

Screening breast MRI is not usually recommended after age 70.

Breast MRI may also be used to:

Check for leaks or ruptures in silicone breast implants during a non-contrast breast MRI exam.
Evaluate abnormal nipple discharge.
Evaluate treatment response in people with breast cancer.

Who’s a candidate for breast MRI?

You may be a candidate for a breast MRI if you need supplemental screening due to dense breasts, family history, or elevated risk for breast cancer. You may also need breast MRI if you have breast cancer or symptoms of breast cancer.

Do I need an annual mammogram if I have a breast MRI?

In general, breast MRI does not replace a mammogram (except for screening high-risk women under age 30). You will still need to have an annual mammogram, even if you have a breast MRI.

Tomosynthesis or 3D mammography is usually needed, in addition to MRI, after age 30. When breast MRI is needed for screening, your mammogram and breast MRI can be scheduled on an alternating six-month basis (e.g., mammogram in January and MRI in July) to decrease the risk of developing cancer between screening tests.

What are the benefits of breast MRI?

Breast MRI can find very small cancers that may be missed on a mammogram or ultrasound — especially in dense breast tissue or in women at elevated risk of developing breast cancer. It can be especially useful for detecting invasive breast cancers.

Alternatives to breast MRI

Breast ultrasound — Ultrasound can be used to evaluate breast symptoms and areas of concern on MRI or mammography, but is less effective than MRI for screening.
Contrast-enhanced mammography — Contrast-enhanced mammography is not yet available for routine screening (outside of research studies) but can be used to assess the extent of breast cancer or for evaluating abnormalities seen on other breast imaging tests.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Breast MRI?

Breast MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Some patients have claustrophobia and are not able to tolerate an MRI or may need a sedative. The gadolinium contrast agent needed for breast MRI cannot be given to pregnant women. Additional risks include:

Allergic reactions to the contrast agent — Allergic reactions to gadolinium contrast are rare, affecting about 1 in 1,000 people. Most reactions are mild, causing hives or rash. Severe reactions are very uncommon, affecting about 6 in 100,000 people, and life-threatening reactions are exceedingly rare.
Follow-up testing — Breast MRI may show benign areas that need additional testing, leading to follow-up scans or biopsies. The risk of needing follow-up testing decreases after the first breast MRI, as areas that are normal for you will be seen on previous breast MRI results. Providing the results of prior breast MRI exams for comparison can help to reduce your risk of needing follow-up testing.

What Should I Expect From Breast MRI?

Before: How to prepare for breast MRI

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for a breast MRI. However, you should let your doctor know if:

You are claustrophobic, or afraid to be in confined spaces. You may require a sedative to be able to tolerate the MRI.
You have any type of metal implant in your body, such as a brain aneurysm clip, artificial heart valve, pacemaker or defibrillator, inner ear implants, artificial joints, stents, or if you have worked with sheet metal in the past or could have a metal fragment in or near your eye(s) for any reason.
You have had an injection of iron (e.g. Magtrace) into your breast at the time of breast surgery for cancer.
You have had an intravenous iron infusion in the past 3-6 months.
You have had prior allergic reactions to IV gadolinium contrast.
You have kidney disease.
You may be pregnant, as gadolinium contrast is not safe during pregnancy.

Timing your breast MRI with your menstrual cycle

Timing your breast MRI with your menstrual cycle is important and can reduce your risk of false-positive results. If you have not yet gone through menopause, you should schedule your breast MRI between days 7-14 of your cycle, when breast tissue is least hormonally active.

How long does breast MRI take?

A full-protocol breast MRI takes 30-60 minutes. An AB-MRI takes 7-10 minutes.

During your breast MRI

After you arrive at the imaging center, your nurse will place an IV in your arm to give you intravenous contrast during your MRI exam. A member of our team will ask you to sign a consent form and answer any questions you may have. You may receive medication to help you relax during the test.

You should remove any jewelry, nipple rings, etc.
You should remove any wearable monitors, such as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or insulin pump.

During your breast MRI, our staff will:

Ask you to lie face down on the MRI table, which has openings for your breasts, and raise your arms above your head.
Inject contrast dye into your IV. This will feel a bit cold for a few seconds. The dye travels through your bloodstream and highlights suspicious areas in your breast.
Slide the table into the MRI machine, which looks like a tunnel. When you are inside the tube, the MRI machine moves around you and makes knocking noises and takes a series of images. It is important to remain still during the exam. You may wear earplugs to minimize noise.

Recovery after breast MRI

If you receive medication to help you relax during the test, you must arrange for someone to drive you home from the imaging center. Otherwise, you should be able to drive home and resume normal activities right away.

When to call your doctor about complications

You should contact your doctor if you have any signs of infection or other complications, including:

Severe pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.
Skin irritation, hives, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction. If symptoms are severe, dial 911.

When to expect your MRI results

The time it takes to receive your breast MRI results may vary. You can expect to receive your results within a week of your exam. After your radiologist has finalized their report, your results will be available in your patient portal. If you have questions about your breast MRI results, contact your doctor's office.

Why Choose UPMC for Breast MRI?

When you choose UPMC for breast MRI, you will receive:

Access to advanced imaging technology — Our experts use the latest imaging technology to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat a full range of health conditions.
Convenient imaging services — Imaging appointments are available at multiple locations with hours that fit your schedule.
Multidisciplinary care — We partner with surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, reconstructive surgeons, and other medical experts to treat cancer and other disorders.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-08-28.