Can a Mammogram Rupture a Silicone Gel Implant?

Mammograms are important and there is no change in recommendations following a Breast lift with or without a breast augmentation with implants.

Hello!  Thank you for your question!   It is highly unlikely for a mammogram to rupture a breast implant.  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.  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!

Thank you for the question.

Although theoretically possible it is very unlikely/unusual that a mammogram would rupture any type of implant. Every experienced plastic surgeon probably has anecdotal evidence to the contrary but it is hard to prove if the suppose it mammogram  related rupture  was really causative.  In other words, the implant may have ruptured prior to the mammogram study.

In your case, given that your implants will be 16 years old, I would suggest an MRI. As you know this is the most useful test to evaluate the integrity of the silicone gel shell.

I hope this helps.