Breast Implants: Q&A

Ask a Question

Breast Implants Safe with History of Breast Cancer?

My sister had breast cancer a number of years ago. She's thankfully clear now, but needless to say there is a history of breast cancer in my family. I've been thinking about getting breast implants, but am concerned about how safe that would be. I haven't had the BRCA gene testing, and don't think I will. But do breast implants affect mammograms or self-exams? Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?

Tags:

breast cancer

Comment on this

17 Doctor Answers | Asked by Beauty Cred in The blogosphere

Doctor Answers (17)
Community Comments (0)

Probably safe

Breast implants don't cause cancer. This almost everybody would agree on. The question remains: is detection of breast cancer harder with a breast implant in place? No doubt a certain percentage of the breast tissue can't be visualized as well, maybe 10% or so. Behind the muscle placement allows more accurate mammograms than in front of the muscle. But self examination may be easier when an implant is in place. I have two patients in my practice who palpated very small lumps (their... more

Breast Implants do not cause cancer!

Your chances of getting breast cancer are greater than 1 in 6 with a sister with breast cancer. Breast implants will have no influence on this risk. In all women the risk is 1 in 7. You should maintain routine screening recommendations with self exams and mammograms as indicated. You may require additional views with breast implants if the radiologist has some concerns. Also be sure your mammographer has experience in women with breast implants. Most do. Good luck.

No evidence exists that breast implants cause cancer

This is a very common question among women considering breast augmentation, in particular if they have a family history of breast cancer. The bottom line is that there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, and in fact there is at least one study that shows that women who have breast augmentation tend to find breast cancers at earlier, more treatable stages versus women who do not, most likely because they are more aware of the way their breasts feel "normally"... more

Breast Implants OK With Family Cancer History

Of course, careful self exam and routine monitoring with your physicians and mammography will be very important. Thankfully, breast implants placed behind the muscle should not pose a risk or obstacle to proper monitoring and examination.

Breast implants don't cause cancer

Breast implants don't cause cancer. Surveillance of your breast for cancer differs when breast implants are placed. Mammography may be more difficult, but you can get a technique designed for patients with implants called distraction mammogram. This technique may improve the amount of breast tissue visualized. Ultrasound and MRI breast exams are not affected by breast implants. Self breast exam is improved with implants,because it creates a smooth surface behind the breast tissue for better... more

Breast implants have not been shown to cause cancer

In many studies from across the world, there has never been shown a link between having breast implants and an increased chance of developing breast cancer. Breast implants may affect the ability to fully image the breast on mammography and could make self breast exam more challenging. This question is probably best answered by your surgeon who can examine you. In some instances it may depend on the amount and characteristics of the existing breast tissue. Relative to safety concerns,... more

Myth: Breast Implants cause breast cancer

Fact: There is absolutely NO evidence anywhere that breast implants cause breast cancer. If fact, the studies that have been performed in women with breast implants show that women with implants have a lower incidence of breast cancer. This fact is probably not because implants protect against breast cancer, but because we screen out patients with risks for breast cancer and therefore the higher risk patients do not get implants for the most part. The decision to have breast implant... more

Breast implants don't cause cancer

Many studies over the years have evaluated the issues you raise. If you have lumpy breasts or ones that are difficult to evaluate on a mammogram you might consider not having implants. In addition, patients who have a very significant family history of breast cancer even without testing positive for the gene should consider avoiding breast implant surgery. Studies have shown that breast cancer can be detected with implants and that it is not found at a later stage because of the implant. ... more

Breast Augmentation with a family history of breast cancer

Implants themselves do not increase a risk of cancer. However placing implants above the muscle can slightly decrease the accuracy of mammography. It’s important when getting them you inform the person doing the mammogram that you have implants, as they will take an additional xray of each breast in order to be able to view almost all of the breast tissue surrounding the implant. Breast implants should not inhibit self-exams, and if there are any questionable problems that crop... more

Breast augmentation does not interfere with cancer detection.

Breast augmentation does not interfere significantly with breast cancer detection. You can still get routing mammograms and perform self exams as well. You need to inform the person performing your mammogram that you have implants because they will take 3 xrays of each breast instead of 2 in order help see all of the breast tissue around the implant. This additional view allows almost all of the breast tissue to be reviewed by the radiologist. Other... more

Breast implants with a family history of breast cancer

Breast augmentation does lead to some changes in breast cancer surveillance. Surveillance is performed through both routine physical exams by both you and your doctor as well as with radiological examinations (mammograms, MRIs, Ultrasounds). Many women have told me that they can "feel" there breast tissue more reliably with implants. However, because implants displace breast tissue, they do interfere with standard mammography. Most radiologists are adept with providing... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

A family history of breast cancer is not a contraindication to breast augmentation.

Although a family history increases the risk of breast cancer for a woman, it does not disqualify her from breast augmentation. Mammography is indeed more complicated but not less accurate. For reasons that are unclear, the presence of an implant actually slightly lowers the risk for development of cancer.

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 have a family history, discuss with your surgeon whether you are old enough to start receiving screening mammograms.Before your surgery, it is recommended to receive an updated mammogram as your baseline. After your surgery you need to inform the x-ray technician that you have implants so that they can modify the procedure of your mammogram. By taking additional views, they will be able to image your... more

Breast implants safe for patients with cancer history

Breast implants do not interfer with mammogram because they should do more views and a technique called THE EKLUND VIEWS, to view the entire breast tissue. MRI can be very accurate. However if YOU Hvave concerns then DO NOT DO THE SURGERY. Not worth the worry.

Breast implants are safe.

Hi. 1) Actually, women who have had breast augmentation have fewer breat cancers than the general population. It's not clear why. Probably less breast tissue. 2) You do need special views and special techniques to get an accurate mammogram after breast implants. Implants do not interfere with self-examination. 3) One sister with breast cancer is not a very significant family history. But if you are really worried, have the gene test.

Breast implants and cancer

Breast implants do not cause cancer but they do decrease the accuracy of your mammogram. Below the muscle is better than above the muscle for mammograms. Changes in physical exam accuracy are difficult to assess as it is very subjective. If you are concerned about breast cancer risk, discuss this with your gynecologist and plastic surgeon. Depending on the rest of your family history, breast size and other factors you can then make a more informed decision about breast augmentation. There... more

Breast implants and cancer

Breast implants do not cause cancer, and patients get them for reconstruction after having breat cancer. In terms of screening, yes, the implants may limit the ability of the mammographer to see the entire breast during exam, but most mammographers have alot of experience looking around implants. Good luck with yoru decision.