Can plastic surgeons feel/see breast cancer during breast augmentation surgery?

There is essentially zero chance of noticing cancer thru an inframammary approach (crease incision). Your surgeon sees very little breast tissue thru that approach and the cancer cells are not readily visible by the naked eye, unless it is a large tumor, and it would have been palpable before your surgery.Your mom is presumably post-menopausal, making your risk for breast cancer not much higher than the general population. Regular screening with self-breast exams, mammography and/or thermography would be the prudent manner to proceed.Best.

Hello,I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. It is understandable that you would be concerned but regular screening with your primary care physician and self checks will be required for you to detect breast cancer. Through an IMF incision, under the muscle and breast tissue- your Plastic Surgeon would have had little to no contact or visual of your breast tissue and only larger tumors are visible to the naked eye. All the best

Hello Thank you for your question. It is very unlikely that the surgeon find any lumps within the breast tissue. Sorry to hear about your mothers diagnoses. Best regards

Hello,The surgeon would not have seen cancer during the surgery.  At 35, you are not likely to have cancer either. At this point, just have yearly follow up visits with your OB/Gyn. Best of luck!

Hello, a breast cancer would not necessarily be detected during surgery.  Depending on the location of the incision and the implant pocket, the surgeon might not encounter any abnormal-appearing tissue during the procedure.

diagnosed with mammography.  During breast augmentation, the gland is not usually palpated in a fashion that would see or feel lumps...usually.  Also, if the implant is placed via the crease incision, one looks at the back of the breast.  Self exam, mammography, and the knowledge of your mother being diagnosed older than 50 are all helpful to you (she was not diagnosed at a young age).  I hope this helps.

Hello and thank you for your question. I am very sorry to hear about your mother, and I wish you and her the very best. The plastic surgeon who performed your surgery would likely not have been able to feel or detect any breast cancer or lumps in your breast tissue at the time of your augmentation surgery unless there was larger, firm abnormal tissue around the area he/she was working. Given your concerns, it is best to obtain a mammogram or other advanced imaging study (MRI) with frequent follow up with your medical doctor at regular intervals.Benjamin J. Cousins MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonBoard Certified General Surgeon

Most breast cancers especially in the early stages are too small to be feelable by your surgeon. The lesion would have to be large enough as well as in the right location such that the surgeon would possibly feel it. If you are worried about a cancer, I would suggest you get a mammogram prior to surgery. Please see link below for breast augmentation examples and take advantage of our free implant giveaway (INSPIRA silicone implants).

Thank you for the question and more then likely NO - unless the cancer were right in the field of surgery, the surgeon would not see or feel it particularly if a inframammary or axillary approach was used.Dr. Corbin