MRI of the breast may be used to assess the integrity of breast implants and also is commonly performed prior to breast surgery to accurately stage breast cancer. This has been found to be particularly helpful as some breast tumors may be either multicentric (more than one area of primary breast cancer in the same or opposite breast) or mutlifocal (more than one primary focus in the same area of the breast). The detection of these additional foci is extremely important in planning treatment of breast cancer, for example simple lumpectomy in the case of a single focus or mastectomy in the case of more than one focus, particularly if located within the second separate area of the breast or other quadrant of the breast. Bilateral disease may also indicate the need for chemotherapy.

It has also recently been used in certain high risk patients, particularly patients with a strong family history of breast cancer as well as dense breast tissue on mammography that would substantially reduce the sensitivity of screening mammography.