What is the Informed Consent?

The Informed Consent is the document that you will have to read, understand and sign before you can have a breast MRI exam under a research protocol. It will include all of the relevant information about the study you will be volunteering for:

• The sponsor (i.e. who's footing the bills)
• The institution where you are having the exam
• The Principal Investigator (i.e. the person actually running the study)
• The purpose of the study
• Risks
• The procedure (what you can expect before, during and after the exam)
• Treatment and compensation for injury
• Costs to you
• Benefits (which might include monetary compensation)
• Confidentiality (since there may be a loss of privacy)
• Subject rights (such as your right to refuse to participate in the study)
• Contact person if you have questions after the study is complete
• Consent to participate (you, a witness and the Principal Investigator will sign the form)

You should receive a copy of the consent document once everyone has signed it. Be sure to take your copy with you since it outlines the study, your rights and will have the phone number and name of the person you should contact after the exam if you have any questions (most likely the Principal Investigator).