Private Breast MRI
The most detailed breast imaging available. Recommended for high-risk women, BRCA gene carriers, and further assessment of findings from mammography or ultrasound.
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When you need the clearest possible picture
Mammography and ultrasound are excellent screening tools, and for most women they provide all the information needed. But there are situations where neither is enough.
Breast MRI uses magnetic fields to produce highly detailed, three-dimensional images of breast tissue. It can detect cancers that mammography and ultrasound miss, map the exact size and extent of a known tumour, and assess both breasts simultaneously with a level of detail no other imaging method can match.
It's not a routine first-line screening tool for everyone. But for women at high risk, or those with a finding that needs further clarification, it's the most informative scan available.
What is a breast MRI?
A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an advanced imaging scan that uses magnetic fields and contrast dye to produce highly detailed, three-dimensional images of breast tissue, capable of detecting cancers as small as a few millimetres and assessing the full extent of known abnormalities. It is the most sensitive breast imaging modality available, with detection rates exceeding 90% for invasive cancers.
Who should consider a breast MRI?
High-risk women: If you have a lifetime breast cancer risk of 30% or higher, international guidelines recommend annual MRI screening alongside mammography. This includes women with a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, those with a first-degree relative who carries the mutation, and women who received chest radiation between the ages of 10 and 30.
Further assessment: If mammography or ultrasound has identified something that needs further clarification, MRI can provide the additional detail needed to determine whether biopsy is required or whether the finding is benign.
Pre-surgical planning: If breast cancer has been diagnosed, MRI can map the exact size, location, and extent of the tumour, check for additional sites of disease, and help the surgical team plan the most effective approach.
Dense breast tissue: For women with very dense breasts where mammography has significant limitations, MRI offers the highest detection sensitivity.
Implant assessment: MRI is the gold-standard imaging method for assessing the integrity of breast implants and detecting implant rupture, both silicone and saline.
Monitoring after treatment: For women who've had breast cancer treatment, MRI can distinguish between scar tissue and recurrence more effectively than mammography or ultrasound.
What happens at your appointment
Book your scan
No referral required, though referral letters are welcomed. Your MRI is carried out at a specialist partner imaging centre near our Harley Street clinic. Location details and preparation instructions are provided at booking.
Before the scan
For pre-menopausal women, the scan is ideally scheduled between days 7-14 of your menstrual cycle, when hormonal changes in breast tissue are least likely to affect the images. We'll help you coordinate the timing.
The scan itself
You lie face down on a padded table with your breasts positioned in a dedicated breast coil. The scanner is noisy (you'll be given headphones or earplugs), but the scan itself is painless. It takes approximately 30-45 minutes. There is no radiation.
Consultant Review
Your images are reviewed by an experienced consultant radiologist with breast MRI expertise. Reporting takes longer than mammography as it involves assessing hundreds of detailed images.
Results
Results within 5-7 working days. A detailed written report is sent to you and your referring doctor. If further action is needed, we coordinate directly: biopsy referral, additional imaging, or referral to a breast surgeon.
How breast imaging methods compare
| Feature | Mammogram | Ultrasound | Breast MRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Low-dose X-ray | Sound waves | Magnetic fields |
| Radiation | Yes (low dose) | None | None |
| Sensitivity (Invasive) | ~85% | ~80% | ~95% |
| Best for | Routine screening | Dense tissue, cyst assessment | High-risk, tumour mapping |
| Discomfort | Brief compression | None | Lying still for 30-45 min |
| Results | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours | 4-5 working days |
| Price | £245 | £450 | £650 |
For high-risk women, the combination of annual mammography and MRI offers the highest detection rates. Your doctor can help determine the right combination for your risk profile.
Other breast imaging services
Mammogram (bilateral)
Gold-standard routine screening. Two-view X-ray of both breasts. The foundation of any breast screening plan.
View Details →Breast ultrasound (bilateral)
Radiation-free imaging. Ideal for dense breast tissue, investigating specific areas, and distinguishing cysts from solid masses.
View Details →Common Questions
Q.How much does a private breast MRI cost in the UK?
A bilateral breast MRI at Medical Express Clinic is £650. This includes the scan, contrast dye, and consultant radiologist report. Results are returned within 4-5 working days.
Q.Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. However, breast MRI is a specialist investigation, and if you're unsure whether it's the right scan for you, we recommend a GP consultation first (£150) to discuss your history and determine the most appropriate imaging.
Q.Is breast MRI painful?
No. You lie face down on a padded table and the scan is painless. There is a brief needle prick for the contrast injection. The main challenge is lying still for 30-45 minutes in a noisy scanner. Earplugs or headphones are provided.
Q.Why does a breast MRI take longer to report than a mammogram?
Breast MRI generates hundreds of cross-sectional images that the radiologist reviews in sequence, assessing how breast tissue responds to the contrast dye over time. This detailed analysis requires more time than a standard mammogram, which produces four images.
Q.Can I have a breast MRI if I have implants?
Yes. MRI is actually the gold-standard imaging method for assessing breast implants. It can detect rupture, leakage, and capsular changes more effectively than mammography or ultrasound.
Q.Are there any reasons I can't have an MRI?
MRI uses strong magnets, so it's not suitable for people with certain metallic implants (some pacemakers, cochlear implants, heart valves). If you require a contrast MRI, it also requires adequate kidney function. You'll be screened before your appointment. MRI is avoided during pregnancy unless clinically necessary.
Q.Should I have a breast MRI instead of a mammogram?
For most women at average risk, mammography is the appropriate routine screening tool. Breast MRI is recommended as an addition to mammography for high-risk women, not as a replacement. If you're unsure, our doctors can assess your risk profile and advise.
Q.I've been diagnosed with breast cancer. Should I have an MRI?
Breast MRI is commonly used after diagnosis to assess the full extent of the tumour, check for additional disease, and guide surgical planning. If your clinical team hasn't arranged one, discuss it with your surgeon or contact us directly.
