Do You Have to Get a Mammogram Before a Breast Lift?

It depends on the advice of your surgeon. If they suggest you get one, then you should. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, then you may be asked to get one. If not, then you probably won't need one.

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.  Mammograms are safe and recommended. 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, with breast procedures.  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 do obscure a portion of the breast during imaging studies, but with the Eklund displacement views, which should be done when having mammograms with breast implants, there is minimal change.  I typically recommend a preoperative mammogram prior to breast surgery, since the architecture of the breast will change - but it will be your choice at your age.  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!

    The mammogram does not need to be done in a person 19 years of age prior to breast lift surgery.  The breasts are extraordinarily dense at this age, and the mammogram is of little utility from a diagnostic point of view.  If you have any mass that you have noticed, other imaging may be appropriate.  Good luck.

A mammogram is not required before the age of 35 unless there is a reason to do so such as the presence of a lump, strong family history, genetic tendency, history of radiation as a child to this area, etc.

Hello LindseyMarie,

As a woman board certified plastic surgeon, with a family history of breast cancer, I take a conservative approach to breast cancer screening in elective breast surgery- even for women your age.

Here are my suggestions:

1.  learn how to do a self breast exam.  Talk to your primary care physician and/or your OB-GYN for instruction on how to do this monthly. This is something you will want to know how to do going forward, monthly

2.  once you are familiar with the texture and contours of your breasts, you will want to seek medical advice if you should feel a nodule or lump in your breasts

3.  do you have a sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, family member who has had breast cancer?

4.  if the answer is "YES," then you should discuss with your doctor the value of getting~

         a)  one baseline mammogram, even at your age, in advance of surgery

         b)  possibly some additional tests that could gauge your risk factors   

              for developing breast cancer

5.  what are your GOALS for surgery?  How do you know that a breast lift is the solution?

        a)  often times a lady will think she needs a breast lift when, in fact, she  really is not a candidate for that particular procedure, or is a better candidate for something else

       b)  try to define YOUR goal and then, go for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon so that you can learn all of your options and choose the one that is really right for you.

* GOOD HEALTH FIRST ~ ELECTIVE SURGERY SECOND*

Thanks for asking!  Dr Ellen