MRI (Magnetic Resonance imaging) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body.
An MRI may be used for many reasons. It can be used to find problems such as tumors, bleeding, injury, blood vessel diseases, or infections.
The way the MRI was explained to me is that is a very sensitive mammogram that will be looking at all the cell tissue in both breasts and in the chest walls.
You may be given a gown to wear and will need to remove all metal objects (such as hearing aids, dentures, jewelry, watches, and hair clips).
You need to lie very still inside the MRI magnet, so you may need medicine to help you relax if you become nervous in confined spaces if you are claustrophobic.
Inside the scanner you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may also hear noises as the MRI scans are taken. You may be given earplugs or earphones to wear to reduce the noise.
The MRI test usually takes 30-60 minutes.
I am claustrophobic so I can’t say the MRI was a fun experience for me, but I survived and you will too. My MRI test took 45 mins and during the test I just kept trying to redirect my mind to other things and not focus on where I was.
To help ease your burden as you go through cancer treatment we have a lot of resources available to help with out of pocket costs for hospital tests, chemotherapy cost, chemotherapy side effects, and radiation treatment costs.