Breast Augmentation and Mammography: How Implants Affect Cancer Screening

Breast Augmentation and Mammography: What Every Patient Needs to Know About Cancer Screening with Implants

For women considering or who have already undergone breast augmentation, one of the most common concerns is how implants will affect their ability to receive effective breast cancer screening. The good news is that women with breast implants should still get regular screening mammograms following the same guidelines as women without implants. Understanding how implants interact with mammography can help you make informed decisions about your breast health and ensure you continue receiving optimal care.

Do Breast Implants Increase Cancer Risk?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that both saline and silicone implants are not associated with increased risk of breast cancer. This means that a woman doesn’t need to be screened earlier or more frequently just because she has breast implants. The standard screening guidelines remain the same: annual screening mammograms starting at age 40.

How Implants Affect Mammogram Imaging

While implants don’t increase cancer risk, they do present some imaging challenges. Breast implants can make it harder for the doctor to see the breast tissue on a mammogram, so extra pictures are usually needed. Breast implants make it harder to see the entirety of your breast tissue on a mammogram, potentially obscuring findings, as the posterior tissue of the breast is blocked from the mammographic field of view.

However, both common types of implants, saline and silicone, affect mammogram readings in a similar fashion, and it does not matter whether an implant is under the muscle (submuscular, subpectoral) or on top of the muscle (subglandular) with respect to mammograms’ effectiveness.

Special Techniques for Mammograms with Implants

Mammography technologists are well-trained to work with implants using specialized techniques. To help make more of the tissue viewable on the mammogram, the technologist will take about four extra pictures called “implant displacement views.” The technologist will gently push the implant back against the chest wall and pull more of the breast tissue forward before compressing the breast.

This technique, known as the Eklund displacement method, allows radiologists to visualize breast tissue that might otherwise be obscured by the implant. In mammography with proven cancer, ID MLO images showed significantly higher degree of cancer visibility than standard MLO images, making these specialized views crucial for accurate screening.

What to Expect During Your Mammogram

If you have implants, there are several important steps to ensure the best possible screening experience:

Additional Screening Options

For some women with implants, additional imaging may be recommended. If implant rupture is a primary concern, patients may feel more comfortable choosing a breast MRI, which is a very sensitive study for the detection of breast cancer. Women who have a family history of breast cancer and those with dense breasts should talk with their doctor about whether a breast MRI should be performed instead of or in addition to a screening mammogram.

Addressing Common Concerns

Many women worry about potential complications from mammograms with implants. Even though the risk is very low, it is possible that a mammogram could cause implant rupture. However, it’s rare to experience a rupture during a screening. The chances are even lower when you choose a facility that routinely screens women with implants.

Interestingly, several studies have revealed that if a woman were to develop a breast lump, it is actually easier to feel the lump when a breast implant is present. This is not to say that having breast implants is protective, but the implant makes it easier to palpate (feel) a new growth or mass if it were to develop.

Choosing the Right Provider

When considering breast augmentation, it’s essential to choose a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon who can provide comprehensive information about long-term breast health. For those seeking Breast Augmentation Monroe, working with an experienced surgeon ensures you’ll receive proper guidance on maintaining breast health throughout your life.

Dr. CS Kim Plastic Surgery, located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, exemplifies the kind of comprehensive care patients deserve. Dr. Kim’s cosmetic surgery techniques enhance one’s natural beauty without appearing artificial or overdone. Committed to reconstructive surgery with the best possible functional and cosmetic results, he is capable of tailoring surgery to a patient’s specific needs and expectations. The practice has been the top-rated plastic surgery clinic for over 30 years, serving patients throughout the region with the most advanced tools, cutting-edge technologies, and revolutionary techniques.

The Bottom Line

Having breast implants should not prevent you from receiving regular breast cancer screening. All women benefit from getting an annual mammogram — including those with breast implants. “If we can find and treat breast cancer early, it’s almost always curable,” and “the only way we can do that is if you come in for your annual screening mammogram”.

The key is working with experienced healthcare providers who understand the unique considerations involved in screening patients with implants. By staying informed about these important health considerations and maintaining regular screening schedules, women with breast implants can enjoy their enhanced confidence while prioritizing their long-term health and wellbeing.

Remember to always discuss your individual risk factors and screening needs with both your plastic surgeon and your primary care physician or radiologist. They can work together to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective breast health care throughout your life.

Pages