Can I Get a Normal Mammogram After Breast Implants?

It’s extremely important that breast augmentation
patients continue to follow standard mammography guidelines. Surveillance for
breast cancer is extremely important and the presence of breast implants
shouldn’t prevent this from happening.

When mammography is performed on patients who have
undergone breast augmentation, specialized techniques are utilized. These
techniques utilize compression and displacement to move the implant away from
the breast tissue. In addition, specialized views are used to help visualize
the breast tissue. When these methods are utilized, the presence of an implant
doesn’t change the effectiveness of mammography. It’s also important to
understand that mammography doesn’t damage breast implants in any way.

It’s important for breast augmentation patients to have
their mammograms performed in radiology centers that have experience with these
specialized techniques. Rarely, additional studies may be necessary. In some
cases, patients may require MRI’s to further evaluate their breast tissue.

It’s important to discuss this issue with your plastic
surgeon. If you’re concerned about breast cancer surveillance,
your surgeon should be able to clarify this issue. 

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  This a great question, which is often asked by patients.  There is no link to breast implants, either saline or silicone, and cancer.  All supporting literature has demonstrated this fact and no association with cancer, autoimmune disorders, or autoinflammatory disorders.  It is known that women are more in tune with their breasts and more diligent with examination and feeling/knowing the contour of her breasts, thus able to identify any abnormality sooner.  Imaging studies of the breasts are similar to imaging without breast implants and cancers are not hidden either by the presence of breast implants.  It is true that with breast implants may obscure a portion of the breast during imaging studies, but still nearly 98% of the breast tissue.  With the Eklund displacement views, which should be done when having mammograms with breast implants, there is minimal change.  You should remain proactive with your monthly self examination, annual clinical examination, and mammograms beginning at age 40 (unless family history, as directed by the Radiological Society), and annually thereafter.  If there is anything concerning on mammogram, other imaging modalities would be utilized, including ultrasound and/or MRI.  Best wishes!  Hope that this helps!