What Every Woman Should Know
- Breast cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer among women in the United States. More than 180,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
- One out of seven women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
- Most breast lumps are NOT cancer. More than 80% of biopsied breast abnormalities are proven benign.
- Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive. If detected early, breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of more than 95%.
Overlake Breast MRI offers the very latest technology in the early detection of breast cancer.
Breast Self Exam
A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your period ends. During this time, your breasts are less tender or swollen. It is important to do your breast self-exam at the same time every month.
For detailed instructions on how to give yourself a breast self exam (BSE) please follow the links below.
What is a breast MRI exam like?
The Aurora is designed specifically for your comfort as a woman. During the exam, you will lie on your stomach with your breasts placed in openings in the Aurora examination table so that they're suspended away from your chest. Unlike conventional x-ray mammography, breast MRI doesn't require your breasts to be compressed, so you shouldn't experience that discomfort. Plus, you'll enter the machine feet-first, which reduces feelings of claustrophobia sometimes associated with full-body MRI scanners.
You'll receive an injection (usually in the arm) of a contrast enhancement agent called gadolinium that helps to highlight various structures in breast tissue. The gadolinium is administered through a small intravenous catheter . An initial scan will be taken and then repeated after the gadolinium is administered. For best results, you should lie very still, relax and breathe normally. The technologist can see and hear you at all times. The entire exam takes about 45 minutes.
Why is the gadolinium necessary?
Most breast cancers have a rich blood supply, so tumors "light up" on MRI, helping to distinguish them from normal breast tissue. These are called areas of "enhancement." It is the contrast agent (gadolinium) that makes breast MRI so much more sensitive in certain types of cancer detection than mammography.
How do I prepare for the test?
On the day of your exam don't use lotion or deodorant on your breast/chest area and wear no perfume. Also, limit your fluid intake (coffee and tea primarily) due to diuretic effect. Otherwise, you can eat as you normally would, engage in regular activities, and take any prescription medication.
Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your appointment time. Wear a comfortable, two-piece outfit with an elastic waist (with no metal and glitter, grommets, rivets or sequins) so that you only have to disrobe from the waist up. You will be asked to change into a gown since belts, zippers, snaps and thread in clothing may contain metal that disturbs MRI signals. We recommend that you bring socks as the room tends to be cool.
We will ask you several questions before you enter the MRI exam room. You will have to remove all metallic objects such as jewelry (rings are OK), glasses, hairpins and dentures. Your personal belongings will be secured in a locker. Please be sure to tell the technologist if you have metal implants, a cardiac pacemaker, permanent dental bridges, braces or other metal objects.
If you have any further questions, please call:
phone: 425-778-4042
toll free: 866-778-2250
What about after the exam?
There are no side- or after-effects with MRI, so you can resume your normal activities as soon as your exam is over. The radiologist will interpret your MRI scan and report the findings to your doctor.
Does insurance cover breast MRI?
Most major health insurance carriers cover breast MRI. If your health plan requires you to have a written referral for this type of exam, please be sure to obtain the necessary paperwork prior to your appointment so that we can bill your carrier directly.
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