Background: Understanding the clinical applications for breast MRI that are supported by the scientific evidence is important to ensure proper use of this medical resource. The use of MRI increased from 2005 to 2008 for women with both in situ carcinoma and invasive carcinoma. Objectives: this review aiming at assessing the evidence supporting use of MRI in the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods: a systematic search was conducted in main databases using keywords. The relevant studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this review. The findings of the included studies were discussed in this narrative review. The protocol of this review was approved by technical and ethical committee. Results: many studies found that breast MRI is advantageous when used to examine patients with high risk for breast cancer, assessment the ipsilateral and contralateral breasts in patients with diagnosis of new breast carcinoma, assessing patients with metastasis and unknown primary, patients monitoring with chemotherapy. When used in these clinical scenarios, high sensitivity of MRI results in early detection of cancer or greater accuracy of detection compared with existing clinical and imaging tests. Conclusion: MRI is an excellent tool for determining the extent of tumor, and should be performed especially in the dense breasts. To avoid overestimation and to diminish false positive examinations, MRI should be performed in the second week of the menstrual cycle and after the interruption of hormonal therapy.