DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Suspicious mammographic finding or palpable abnormality OR Suspicious clinical or ultrasound finding without associated benign mammographic features May have more than one suspicious lesion based on mammography or clinical exam if an index lesion is present Mammogram within 2 months prior to MRI scan and copy of films required of all patients 30 years of age and over Eligibility maintained if patient meets above criteria and has had: Breast implant Prior benign excisional or core biopsy at least 6 months prior to study Fine needle aspiration performed at any time Cancer in the contralateral breast No history of prior breast cancer in the study breast No benign excisional or core biopsy of the affected breast within the last 6 months