Q: Are there any downsides to having a breast MRI?

A: While a mammogram can give a false negative, a breast MRI can result in a false positive.

Yes, breast MRI is safe.

Generally, you can resume your usual activities and normal diet immediately after a breast MRI.

Learn how breast MRI is used to help detect breast cancer.

Screening studies of breast MRI in women at high inherited risk are ongoing.

A breast MRI is an imaging test that can help determine if a lump in the breast is cancerous or benign.

The chief strength of breast MRI is its very high negative predictive value.

However, breast MRI has long been regarded to have disadvantages.

"These women will need yearly mammography, perhaps breast MRI and genetic counseling" (1:18)