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Is Breast Cancer Difficult To Find with Breast Implants? With Fat Transfer?

asked 11 months ago by anon
Latest answer by John Whitt, MD
Question viewed 142 times
Tags: breast cancer, detection, mammogram

I recently read an article (http://www.newbeauty.com/dailybeauty/entry.aspx?id=4302) that said fat transfer breast augmentations can hinder breast cancer detection with mammograms. Is breast cancer more or less detectable with regular breast implants compared to fat transfer augmentations?

4 answers to Is Breast Cancer Difficult To Find with Breast Implants? With Fat Transfer?

+2

Breast implant make mammograms more difficult

The concern with the fat grafting and mammogram is not hindering the breast cancer detection ,but classifications that can be mistaken by radiologist as breast cancer and warrant biopsies. This is seen post breast reduction and breast lift. Breast implants on the other hand block the radiation and the tissue behind the implant not visualized. Radiologist will obtain extra views or ultrasound to examine the rest of the breast tissue. Breast cancer detection is not delayed... more
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Any Type Of Breast Augmentation Can Interfere With Cancer Detection

Any form of breast augmentation has the potential to interfere with mammograms and delay the diagnosis of breast cancer. This is true of both saline and silicone implants as well as fat injection (possibly to a lesser extent). There were some implants available in the 90's which were filled with soybean oil and did not interfere with mammograms for which I served as an FDA investigator. However, there were other problems and they were recalled.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants, Fat Grafting and Breast Cancer

Breast implants do not hinder breast cancer detection, for fat grafting the data is not yet in. When I started my practice in 1997, fat grafting to the breast was explicitly exempted from malpractice coverage by the Doctors' Company -- the largest malpractice company in the country for Plastic Surgeons. In lawyer speak fat grafting to the breast was a "non-covered event." (i.e. - You are on your own) Breast implants are the most studied medical implants. Large studies with... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants do not affect breast cancer risk

While there are still some concerns about autologous fat transfer to the breast, there are several studies showing that breast implants do not appear to affect your risk of getting breast cancer. there are also studies showing that women with breast implants who do get breast cancer have the same survival rates as women with breast cancer who do not have implants. Your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with more details if needed.
Brian Eichenberg, MD

Temecula Plastic Surgeon

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