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!

I share your concerns with my patients. Howver, recently there has been some research that has shown that high resolution ultrasound may be a very effective tool for diagnosing silicone breast implant rupture.
Another option is that many MRI facilities are willing to charge significantly less for cash prepay. Whereas an MRI may run up to $3000 at a hospital facility, many free standing centers are willing to perform the servce for around $400. Call around and ask!
I hope that this helps

It is very unlikely that you would rupture your implants during a mammogram. I would suggest that you find an imaging center that has experience with patients with implants as a special 'compression' technique is used.

It is highly unlikely that a mammogram would ever rupture an intact implant.    With the new form of breast implants produced after 2009 there is little chance of the implant gel material migrating since the gel is more cohesive than it was prior to this time.  Therefore it may be difficult to tell if it is ruptured since the implant tends to keep its original shape. The problem is non an emergency.  You would need some type of diagnostic study to determine if it was actually ruptured such as a  mammogram, MRI or ultrasound.