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Should I Avoid Getting Breast Implants Due to my Family History of Breast Cancer?

asked 3 years ago by MathTchr in Highand,CA,US
Latest answer by Karen M. Horton, MD
Question viewed 2,381 times
Tags: sagging, breast cancer

I am in my 50's and my breasts are "sagging". I do not want the scarring associated with a lift. Is there a problem with getting either a saline or silicone implants with regards to an increased breast cancer risk? Is it better in this case to go under the muscle? My mother developed breast cancer in her 70's. Is that a reason I should not get implants?

23 answers to Should I Avoid Getting Breast Implants Due to my Family History of Breast Cancer?

Breast Implants for Someone With Cancer Risk

You are right to be asking the question. Breast Implants do not increase cancer risk, and should not interfere with monitoring, either by self exam or imaging (mammograms). Mammographers tell us they prefer the submuscular (under the muscle) positioning of implants. Please understand that implants add volume and help to shape the breast, but do not lift a sagging breast! If your nipple and much of your breast has drooped below the height of the breast crease, you are... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Breast implants and cancer risks

Thanks for your question. I am not aware of any CURRENT data the unregistered poster marlene sorma is referencing that supports her position; the NCI data from the 80s did find a statistically insignificant finding that masses might be detected later but this has been countered by more recent studies. Every current study I know of actually supports the fact that women with submuscular implants (90% of the implants done today) actually detect palpable breast masses EARLIER than women without... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Remember that implants don't lift the breast and they don't cause cancer

To correct your sagging breasts, the best procedures involve lifting the nipple and areola and tightening the lax lower pole tissues. This causes scars but can dramatically improve the shape and youthfulness of the breasts. Mammograms are not affected by this procedure alone. Implants will not correct sagging, they will just make you bigger. So, if your breasts don't need to be larger, it may be that a lift alone is the best procedure for you. Evaluation by an expert plastic surgeon will... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants don't cause breast cancer

Depending on the amount of "sagging" you have, you may not be a candidate for implant surgery alone. That being said, implants do NOT increase your risk of developing breast cancer. You need to be aware of the fact that implants do cause compression of your breast tissue, which makes the tissue more dense and possibly more difficult to image with mammography. Placing the implants under the muscle does make the breast tissue easier to xray, but also makes it more difficult to... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Issues with implants and risk of breast cancer

The correction of sagging breasts with implants has little to do with the choice between saline and silicone implants. Howver, the issues with implants and breast cancer has to do with causation and detection. The causation risks have pretty much been put to rest although there are certain groups who might argue differently. You should speak to a breast cancer specialist, not as regards risks of implants, but your specific increased risk of developing cancer with a first degree relative... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone implants do not cause breast cancer

Breast implants have never been shown to have a correlation to an increased incidence risk of breast cancer. Which implant you chose (saline or silicone) with the help of your plastic surgeon is a purely personal choice once you have been properly educated about the differences between them. Every woman who has a breast augmentation with or without a lift needs to remain as vigilant as other women regards screening for breast cancer (self breast exams and annual screening mammograms... more

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Having breast augmentation will not change your personal breast cancer risk

Many women seek cosmetic breast augmentation, and some of these women will also have a history of breast cancer in their families. I counsel ALL women to know their family history of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer prior to considering any surgery on their breasts. When appropriate, I refer women with a significant family history of these types of cancer (particularly before menopause) to a breast cancer specialist or a genetic counselor for further workup. If women... more

Karen M. Horton, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.drkarenhorton.com

Breast Implants and Family History of Breast Cancer

Breast implants/augmentation will not increase your risk for breast cancer. It will also not delay the diagnosis of breast cancer. I would recommend that you have a baseline mammogram before any procedure. Regardless of whether or not you opt for implants, it is important to perform monthly breast self exams and to undergo annual breast screening as per your primary care physician or ob/gyn.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

You are not at a greater risk

When it comes to breast surgery you are asking the right questions. Being that you are 50 it is important to get a mammogram before getting your breast implants. That being said, no, there is no reason why breast implants would increase you risks for getting breast cancer. The two factors that influence breast cancer the most are gender and age. Mammograms are highly specialized machines and can see the breast tissue even with implants.

Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are not a substitution for a breast lift

If you need a breast lift and want the results of a breast lift, then you'll have to have a breast lift. Using an implant will not remove the need for a lift. The only reason to use an implant is if you want your breasts to be larger. In that case, I would place your implants under the muscle. A close family history of post-menopausal breast cancer would not preclude your having implants. You would need to have screening exams as usual.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation does not change your risk for breast cancer.

Breast augmentation does not change your risk for breast cancer. You still need to perform monthly self breast exams and get routine screening mammograms (they will get three xrays of each breast instead of two after augmentation). You need to know that both your self exam and your mammograms will feel/look a little different than before your surgery. You may need a breast lift for optimal appearance even with an implant. This is something that you need to discuss... more

Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants with a family history of breast cancer.

Breast cancer now affects 1 in 9 women in the US. As breast augmentations have become more common, certain techniques in mammography have been used to visualize breast tissue from around the implants. These are known as implant displacement techniques, or Ecklund views of the breast. As technology has improved and MRIs have become cheaper, many women who have breasts that are difficult to visualize via mammography, or women with a suspicious sign on mammography will have a breast MRI to... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Breast implants and family history of cancer

Breast cancer detection is usually only slightly—if at all—compromised by the fact that you've had an augmentation. In my opinion, it would be better to place youroimplant beneath the muscle tissue. However, this most likely will make your sag worse and thus necessitate a lift. The best thing you can do is see a board certified plastic surgeon who can take a look at you and make a recommendation based on your history and your anatomy.

Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Breast cancer and breast implants - Should I get breast implants with a family history

Breast implants will not impart a greater risk of breast cancer. However, once you perform the breast implantation, you should be remain vigilant with breast cancer screening. Also, you may consider genetic testing if you are very concerned about breast cancer.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and a history of cancer

Breast implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Breast exams and mammograms are easily done when you have implants. Implants under the muscle may make those exams a little easier. However, if you really have droopy breasts, you may actually be happier with a breast lift. Your plastic surgeon can explain the differences to you and recommend what would be best.

Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

You may want to consider a saline implant

The implants do not effect your risk of getting breast cancer. A silicone gel implant can interfere with a mammogram, making it difficult to clearly see breast tissue, whereas, it is easier with a saline implant. If there is any concern with not having good visibility of breast tissue then there are other options such as a MRI or ultrasound to help visualize the breast. So, one solution is to get a saline implant since it does not interfere significantly with the visibility of... more

Usha Rajagopal, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com

Breast augmentation in a patient with a family history of breast cancer

Breast augmentation is an excellent procedure to contour and shape the breast. If you would like to correct the sagging of the breast, either from a breast lift or a breast lift with implants. Neither procedure will interfere with your history of breast cancer. If you have a family history, you should have already been receiving annual mammograms for screening. Before your surgery, it is recommended to receive an updated mammogram as your baseline. After your surgery you need to inform the... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Family history of breast cancer is not a contraindication to breast augmentation.

A positive family history does not preclude a breast augmentation. The implants make mammograms more difficult but not less accurate. Interestingly enough, breast implants actually lower the incidence of breast cancer (not much but measurable). We don't know the reason for the influence and it is certainly no excuse to place implants but patients can be glad that they are not pushing the odds in the other direction.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants for someone with breast cancer history

A history of breast cancer, whether familial or in yourself, does not preclude the use of breast implants. We often use breast implants in women who have been treated for breast cancer. Of course the decision for each patient is made together on a case by case basis. Hope this helps.

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

Math Teacher Breast lift

I know you don't want to hear this (again) but the implants may not meet your request. If you need a lift, then that's the surgery you need. If you get implants and you need a lift, then you'll need a lift AFTER your breast aug surgery and you won't be happy. It really sounds like you need the lift (these can be done in the office sometimes). if you want both the lift and an implant then you'll need a real operation. It sounds like this real operation would do great for you. Good... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants not good solution for sagging.

Hi. 1) I don't think your family history is a problem as far as getting breast augmentation. But I don't think that's what you need. 2) Unless your sagging is really minimal, breast implants do not correct sagging. They create a new deformity, specially after the age of 40.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and Breast Cancer

There are numerous studies out there that show breast implants do not increase you chance of breast cancer. The issue here is that you have sagging skin and may need a lift. When relying on breast implants to provide a "lift," this results in unsatisfactory results. Some patients do well with breast implants alone, even those who have sagging skin, but it is impossible to tell how you would do without pictures or examing you. What I can say is that if a lift is required and you... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and monitoring

With a family history of breast cancer, screening mammagrophy can more easily detect breast cancer in women that have submuscular implants. If your breast are sagging, the implants may not fill them out enough to give significant lift.