MRI questions

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suki1724
suki1724 Member Posts: 60
edited April 2016 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hello everyone. I'm a member of the 6-month club, high risk due to strong family history/dense "busy" breasts. I saw the breast surgeon this morning and she said that I should have an MRI now, and then in six months, ultrasound and mammogram, and then just keep alternating, with the MRI done yearly. I am a candidate for bilateral mastectomy if I choose to go that route. I'm also going to see a genetic counselor.

I just had an MRI with contrast about three months ago for another issue, and when I questioned if it was ok to have contrast again so soon, she said "no problem". I was terrified of the contrast, I'm allergic to everything, not looking forward to having it again so soon!

I have been reading that the 3-D mammograms are close to MRI's in terms of diagnostic accuracy, the breast surgeon said she doesn't agree, and that MRI is the best diagnostic tool we have at this point.

Can anyone share their experience with the breast MRI, and are many cancers detected that way? My only comfort in this situation is that the MRI might give me some peace of mind for 6 months at least.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited April 2016

    The main problem with breast MRIs is that they are very nonspecific (false positives) and lead to lots of biopsies because of this. They are also expensive and your insurance may balk at paying for them as a screening tool. Many times insurance companies consider them a "diagnostic only" procedure.

    The good side is that there is a very low (around 5%) false negative rate.

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  • alicki
    alicki Member Posts: 661
    edited April 2016

    hi,

    Same schedule here for this year. Just make sure You do the MRI At the right Time in your cycle so They can get better images.

    I Have 3D mammos. I think that each diagnostic tool has its pros ans cons. The schedule you re on Sound good.

    Best

    Alick

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    Thanks for the response. Have you had a breast MRI? I'm just wondering how the procedure compares to the abdominal MRI that I had recently.

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    No worries about my cycle, I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago! One think not to worry about I guess!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited April 2016

    Suki, I have had multiple. They are done with a contrast IV -it is started without contrast and they inject the contrast sometime in the middle of the procedure. You lay on your stomach with your breasts hanging down through holes in the table. Aside from being very loud and having to hold still so long I don't find them awful. Make sure you are comfortable before they start-the bar between your breasts can start getting uncomfortable after a while. I've only had abdominal/pelvic CTs, so don't know how they compare.

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    Thanks. I'm just not sure what to expect, my breasts are small, so not much to hang down. When I had the abdominal MRI they gave me the gadolinium towards the end of the test. I was so scared, but only felt a cold sensation. I can't believe I have to have another MRI so soon.

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  • alicki
    alicki Member Posts: 661
    edited April 2016

    Hello,

    Melissa s post is very helpful. Now If you compare them to abdominal. Mri , the are about the Same time. I suggest you look on YouTube where some centres explain And show what They are Like

    RE cycle: i had a hysterectomy too but i képt my ovamies so i STILL Have a cycle Even If i dont bleed anymore

    Best alicki

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    Thank you, good advice on the Youtube videos, I will check them out. It's 2:30 am and I'm still up because my husband decided to start yelling at me that I'm not "living my life" because I am concerned about the MRI that I need. He has honestly been horrible since he hit 50, 2 years ago, but tonight was really bad. He seemed very eager to take his pillow and get out of the bedroom and go to the couch, which is something he never used to do in the past. He didn't offer to go with me or even meet me at the breast surgeon's office this morning. I think he's had it with me. I'm stressed about being high risk for BC, and I think it's normal to have anxiety over an impending MRI, I think he is looking for a way out of a 27 year marriage, and it's the worst feeling, very painful to be treated this way. :(


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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited April 2016

    suki1724.... Want to let you know I had a malignant tumor that did NOT show up up on a 3D mammo or ultrasound. Only on a breast MRI. This is the reason to have it, especially if you have dense breasts. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    Can I ask if you wound up with a biopsy as a result of the MRI, or did the MRI just show that cancer? Thank you for responding and hope that you're doing ok now!

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  • Typink
    Typink Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2016

    Hi Suki1724. After years of biopsy and ultrasound and the never ending 6month mamo checks they finally decided to do an MRI. The MRI showed suspicious growth. I then had biopsy and ultrasound which confirmed I had cancer. I'm thankful for the MRI. Try to stay positive and think good vibes! Best wishes.

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  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2016

    Thanks for the info, clearly it's a good diagnostic tool and shows more than a mammogram. I hope that you're doing ok now!

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  • Papillon1
    Papillon1 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2016

    I had an MRI but on day 20 of the cycle. Will this really cause problems?

    Doctor found a line of unusual something. She noted down an oval ganglion. Told me it's probably nothing to worry about now, perhaps in 10 years but to have another MRI in 6 months. On the report she stated "probably benign". Probably???

    As it is, I am in the process of planning a prophylactic mastectomy - hence the MRI (surgeon sent me for one pre op), but still....she said there was lots of hormonal activity in my breasts and the issue is in my left. Now, I always had issues with my left - slightly inverted nip and couldn't breastfeed well from there. Doc says the mystery object is just behind the nipple. Thoughts?....

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  • Papillon1
    Papillon1 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2016

    this is the MRI - the breast on the right (actually my left) has the line of mysterious things appearing as white dots, going from the middle and downwards in a hook to the left... Any thoughts? Thanks ladies xx

    image

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  • jenn32214
    jenn32214 Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2016

    I just had my breast MRI last week, and the procedure itself wasn't that bad. Waiting for the results OTOH....


    I had a pretty full panel of genetic testing which came back negative for mutations. But I still have a family history of cancer, and lost my mother and uncle to it.

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