A magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging human breasts, in which the system includes a main magnet providing a static magnetic field, a gradient coil insert received within the internal bore of the main magnet, the gradient coil insert including gradient coils providing a spatially varying magnetic field, a patient support table configured to support the patient within the patient opening, the patient support table including a patient support member with at least one breast opening sized and positioned so that in use the patient's breast extends through the opening and is accessible below the patient support member, an RF transmitter coil mounted on the patient support table in the vicinity of the at least one breast opening, and an RF receiver coil separate from the RF transmitter coil and mounted on the patient support table in the vicinity of the at least one breast opening.