Smart Breast MRI Locations
This exam is available at the following locations:
Dense breasts have more fibroglandular tissue. The chart below shows the four categories of density.
Type A
Almost Entirely Fatty
Type B
Scattered Areas of Fibroglandular Density
Type C
Heterogeneously Dense
Type D
Extremely Dense
WHAT IS A SMART BREAST MRI™?
Breast MRI is a painless imaging exam without ionizing radiation. Patients lie face down in the MRI machine, while an extremely safe contrast agent is typically administered intravenously. The MRI machine then uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed 3-dimensional images of the breast tissue.
On the breast MRI, the intravenous contrast agent becomes more concentrated in areas of cancer growth, showing up as white areas against a dark background. This helps radiologists determine which areas may be of concern.
Women with dense breasts can benefit from supplemental screening with one of Princeton Radiology’s Smart Breast MRIs.™ Smart Breast MRI™ can detect more than twice as many breast cancers as 3-D mammography alone – and often at earlier, more treatable stages.
Types of Smart Breast MRI™ Exams
Princeton Radiology offers both Diagnostic and Smart Screen Breast MRI.™ Most insurance plans cover Diagnostic Smart Breast MRI for women at increased risk of developing breast cancer, such as those with a Claus risk score of 20+ on their SmartMamm™ report, and/or an inherited conditions such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genetic mutations. If a Diagnostic Smart Breast MRI™ exam is not covered by your insurance, our Smart Screen Breast MRI™ is available for the low, self-pay fee of $375.
Diagnostic Smart Breast MRI™
- Diagnostic breast MRI exam protocol with injected contrast
- Exam time: approx. 30 minutes
- May be recommended as a follow up to a SmartMamm™
- Recommended if you have an average risk of breast cancer, but have concerns due to family history or other reasons
- A physician prescription is required
Smart Screen Breast MRI™
- Screening breast MRI protocol
- Uses injected contrast and selective image acquisitions shown to be more effective in finding lesions than mammography alone
- Exam time: approx. 10 minutes
- Recommended for concerned patients and their doctors when referral for diagnostic breast MRI does not meet insurance coverage requirements
- Not covered by most insurance plans; out-of-pocket cost: $375
- A physician prescription is required
BESIDES DENSE BREAST TISSUE, ARE THERE OTHER REASONS TO CONSIDER A SMART BREAST MRI™?
Additional reasons to consider a Diagnostic Smart Breast MRI™ include:
- General concerns about breast health and risk factors not resolved with a mammogram
- Discovery of a lump/mass during a physical exam, ultrasound or mammogram
- Concerns about the integrity of breast implants
- Distinguishing between scar tissue and recurrent tumors
- Staging of breast cancer to make the best treatment decisions
Additional reasons to consider a Smart Screen Breast MRI™ include:
- If you have an average risk of breast cancer but have concerns due to family history or other reasons
- Additional safety net that detects 15 to 18 more breast cancers per 1,000 screenings
- Ability to reveal aggressive cancers, as it detects tumors that are vascular and can grow quickly in between annual mammograms
- Is radiation-free and painless
WHAT IF THE RESULTS ARE ABNORMAL?
A small percentage of breast MRIs require additional testing. These might include a follow-up diagnostic Smart Breast MRI™, breast ultrasound, diagnostic SmartMamm™ (mammogram), or biopsy.
DO I STILL NEED TO HAVE MAMMOGRAMS?
Yes! Even with dense breasts, mammograms are the only imaging exam proven to reduce breast cancer mortality. Mammograms also help detect changes in the pattern of your breast density, which is critical for detecting breast cancer early. We recommend that you continue with annual mammograms.