What happens during an MRI?

09.01.14 / Breast Density / Author: admin

As mentioned, an MRI uses magnetic resonance imaging to provide pictures for a Radiologist to interpret.  It is basically a very large magnet.  In order to have an MRI done, you need to remove all metal objects, even metal clips on bra straps can be pulled in!  Apparently if you Google ‘strange objects in MRI’, there are many pictures of MRI’s with such things as floor polishers that have been sucked into them!  A very expensive exercise I imagine.

Once you are metal free, you need to have no clothing on the top half, wear a gown and paper hat…. very glamorous.  They will also put a cannula into your arm.  This is so they can inject a contrast agent during one or two of the scans.  You then lie face down on the bed, like when you have a massage, except your boobs are hanging down through the bed (also very glamorous!).  The good thing about being face down is that you don’t really notice going into the machine.  The bed moves really smoothly too.  There is plenty of light and therefore less potential for claustrophobia.  Personally, I closed my eyes and went to the beach.  They also hook up the cannula to the components that will inject the contrast agent, this is all done remotely as they can’t enter the room once they start all of the scans.

So you are face down on the bed, face is in padded hole, boobs hanging down.  You’re arms will be stretched out in front of you.  If you are not flexible, like I’m not, your arms will go numb.  You can ask for foam to be placed under different parts of your arms to help with comfort.  You will be lying like this for about 25-30 minutes.  They also provide earplugs and earphones, some places will provide music if you want.  MRI’s make LOTS of loud noise, rhythmic banging and knocking, not so bad that you have to wear the earplugs and headphones, but pretty darn loud.  When it’s not making noise they are readjusting the set up to take the next scan, and this is when you can wriggle fingers etc to keep somewhat comfortable.

There is also a microphone so if you are uncomfortable you can let the operators know at any time.

25-30 minutes later it’s all done, you’ll come out of the machine, have the cannula removed, get dressed and head home.  The results will be provided by Radiologist either directly to you or to your GP.

As mentioned, my initial MRI diagnosis was an approximately 10mm mass that the Radiologist believed was a Fibroadenoma.  This mass did not show on either the Mammogram or Ultrasound I had already had.  To be conclusive, an ultra-sound guided Biopsy was recommended.  It’s kind of like saying ‘may contain traces of nuts’, they have to cover themselves but it is ultimately your decision as to whether you choose to go forward with the biopsy or not.  Because I had had so much discomfort/aching around my right breast several times over the previous 9 months or so, I decided on the biopsy.

And that is how my cancer was found.
That MRI allowed the lump to be detected early (it ended up being around 5mm but after the biopsy, surgery only had 2.5 x 2mm left to remove).

I am so grateful to Jeremy Price for his honest and open discussion with me around breast density and how an MRI is the best way to see early masses in breasts.  I am also so grateful that I am in a position to be able to afford the cost of full payment for that MRI.

We need to work on the Government to get MRIs for women with formally graded dense breast tissue to have some subsidy for the costs of the MRI.

Listen to your body, and do whatever you need to do to be comfortable that everything is OK.