MRI really necessary?

I would strongly urge her to have the MRI. When I was dx my Dr. had me get an MRI, it picked up a completely different cancer in my other breast that was not visible on the mammogram.

Having these tests is always stressful but they are key to staying on top of reoccurrances. Try to think of them as a tool of treatment.

If she has any kind of mild med like Xanax that can be helpful. I know my MRI was uncomfortable - my know tumor was over 7cm and I had to lay on my stomach/breasts. I cried thru the whole thing more from the situation than anything else. Next time I will load up with Xanax first.

Good luck and stay strong!

carolyn

Or older women with dense breasts. I'm 57, post-menopausal, and still have breasts almost as dense as they were when I was younger. I had a mammo a year before the one that picked up the cancer (which had gotten quite large over that year) that didn't see anything.

My dr always said they were dense but never told me the implications or alternate diagnostic tests. As trying as the MRI was (I had a slight case of claustrophobia), I was glad I finally had one done.

It's a different view of the area than a PET scan, and gives the surgeon a better way to see the tumor and plan their surgical attack.

I agree w/everyone's response.  Insist on a breast MRI.  The radiologist (who specializes in mammography) who diagnosed me told me from the get-go, insist on an MRI.  Some ins. co. will deny, but the BS should know the right things to document, etc. to have it covered.  It took one phone call from my BS office to my ins. co. and it was covered.  Best of luck.