Breast MRI – Should all women get this test?

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Patients often ask me: “Should I get anfrom trauma, scar from previous surgery or
MRI?” (magnetic resonance imaging). Theneedle biopsy, previous radiation, etc. The only
answer from me is: “Only if you needsure method of telling cancer from benign is to
it.”subject the patient to an invasive biopsy to obtain
Why should we NOT all get breast MRI? After all,tissue from the MRI breast abnormality. So, if you
we know that mammograms and ultrasounds dowant to get a breast MRI, you should be mentally
fail to pick up some breast cancers. MRI is theprepared for the biopsy that will be
latest, most expensive modality in breast imaging.recommended by your doctor if the MRI shows
It’s the best, is it not? Well, clearly, thean “abnormality”. Because the
advantage of MRI is that it can see everythingMRI is so good at seeing everything and anything,
and anything. The disadvantage of MRI also is thatthere is a good chance that an
it can see everything and anything. When an“abnormality” will be revealed.
“abnormality” is detected onAfterwards, we call these benign biopsies
MRI, sure it could turn out to be breast cancer.unnecessary because the
But it can also turn out to be one of the many“abnormality” is a false positive
completely benign conditions, such asfinding.
fibroadenoma, cyst, fibrocystic, infection, breast