Our services
Breast MRI
At The Women’s Imaging Centre, our breast MRI service uses advanced high-field scanners and specialised imaging protocols to deliver exceptional soft-tissue detail — all without exposing you to ionising radiation.
MRI allows our radiologists to visualise your internal structures in remarkable detail, making it a vital tool for diagnosing, monitoring, and planning treatment across a wide range of conditions.
Breast MRI is completed at our partner clinics at South Coast Radiology.
What is a Breast MRI?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnets, radiofrequency pulses, and computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional or 3D images of your body’s internal structures.
Rather than X-rays, MRI relies on how hydrogen atoms in your body react to magnetic fields and radio waves.
The resulting signals are processed to reveal subtle differences in tissues, making MRI highly effective for identifying inflammation, nerve compression, soft-tissue tears, and other internal abnormalities not visible on X-ray or CT.
A Breast MRI provides exceptional imaging detail for breast tissue.
It’s particularly valuable for women with dense breasts, implants, or when other imaging (like mammogram or ultrasound) is inconclusive.
When examining breast implants, mammography and ultrasound may not penetrate saline or silicone well enough to view the implants or surrounding breast tissue. In contrast, MRI may offer clearer images of both implants and breast tissue. This makes MRI an excellent imaging modality to assess breast implant integrity and potentially detect small ruptures or leaks.
MRI often provides additional clarity when other imaging such as CT or X-ray is inconclusive.
Why is Breast MRI done?
On average, 50 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer every day.
Although the number of women and men being diagnosed is Australia is increasing, the number of deaths from breast cancer is decreasing.
Breast MRI is an extremely sensitive, non-invasive, medical imaging examination used for detection of breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.
It can also be used to examine the extent of breast cancer after a diagnosis has been made following a mammogram, ultrasound and/or biopsy. The quality of images produced by MRI of breast tissue is outstanding.
MRI makes it easy to take additional images of the muscle and chest wall around your breast to provide a more comprehensive diagnosis.
Breast MRI can be beneficial in detecting breast cancer in high-risk women with a strong family history or a past history of breast cancer, or who are carrying a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
Your doctor may recommend a breast MRI to investigate or monitor a wide range of conditions, including:
- Oncologic imaging – tumour detection, staging, or treatment monitoring
- Pre-surgical planning – mapping anatomy and pathology for surgery or intervention
What Breast MRI Shows/Diagnoses
- Cancer detection and screening for high-risk patients
- Assessment of breast implants and integrity
- Evaluation of extent of known cancer
- Monitoring response to chemotherapy or surgery
- Problem-solving after abnormal mammogram or ultrasound
About Your Test
Before your appointment
- A valid referral is required.
- You’ll complete a detailed MRI safety questionnaire before your scan.
- Inform staff if you are pregnant, claustrophobic, or have any implants, metal fragments, or pacemakers.
- Avoid wearing cosmetics, hair products, deodorant, lotions, powders and jewellery on the day.
- Bring previous imaging (CT, X-ray, or MRI) for comparison.
- For menstrual-age women, scheduling between days 7–14 of your cycle may optimise accuracy
- You may be asked to fast for 2–4 hours before your appointment.
On the day
- You may be asked to change into a gown; lockers are provided for your belongings.
- The procedure is painless. You’ll lie on a cushioned table that slides into the scanner.
- Earplugs or headphones are provided as the scanner produces loud sounds.
- You’ll have a communication buzzer for reassurance and support throughout.
- You’ll lie face-down on a special padded coil designed for breast imaging.
- A small IV line may be placed for contrast.
- The scan lasts about 30 minutes.
After your appointment
- You can resume normal activities immediately.
- If contrast was used, drink plenty of water to assist clearance.
- Our radiologists interpret your images and send a detailed report to your doctor within 24–48 hours.
- You may also access your images digitally through our secure patient portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breast MRI is used for high-risk screening, evaluating dense breast tissue or implants, or assessing the extent of known cancer. It provides the most detailed view of breast tissue available.
Avoid wearing deodorant, perfume, or lotions on the day of your scan. For pre-menopausal women, scheduling between days 7–14 of your menstrual cycle gives the best imaging detail.
We can arrange mild sedation (with your doctor’s approval) and provide reassurance during the scan.
You’ll lie face-down on a special padded table designed for breast imaging. The scan takes around 30 minutes. In most cases, a small contrast injection is used to highlight tissue detail.
MRI is generally safe after the first trimester, especially if no contrast is required.
Yes, many are. Your referring doctor will advise if your scan is eligible.
No. You may feel slight warmth during the contrast injection, but otherwise, the scan is painless.
Results are generally available within 24–48 hours for your referring doctor to review.
Safety & Considerations
MRI is very safe for most patients. It does not use radiation; however, it’s unsuitable for some individuals with non-MRI-compatible implants or severe claustrophobia.
For patients with kidney impairment, contrast use will be carefully reviewed before proceeding.
If any of the following apply to you, please inform our team when booking. This ensures the appropriate safety checks and comfort measures are in place:
- Implanted medical devices (pacemakers, stimulators, clips, etc.)
- Metal fragments in your eyes or body
- Claustrophobia
- Breast implants
- Are pregnant, think you could be pregnant or are breastfeeding
Book your Breast MRI now
Experience fast and accurate advanced MRI imaging with The Women’s Imaging Centre.
Our Breast MRI service is completed at our partner, South Coast Radiology, clinics across the Gold Coast and Tweed Region.