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.

Mammography can still be performed with breast implants in place. Mammography technicians are trained to use specialized techniques for women with breast implants that help to image the breast tissue around the curved surface of the implants. Be sure to let the mammography provider know that you have breast implants when you schedule your mammogram.

It is not possible to obtain a mammogram by imaging through the implants, only around them. Breast implants therefore potentially do reduce a radiologist's ability to visualize breast tissue completely. This is more of a concern with implants placed immediately behind the breast ('sub-mammary', aka 'sub-glandular' position), so for that reason the sub-pectoral position is strongly preferred.

There is no conclusive evidence which shows that women with breast implants are diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage than women without implants - which one would expect if breast implants actually delayed the detection of breast cancer. Likewise, women with breast implants do not appear to have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer compared to women without breast implants. Breast implants do not obscure or interfere with patient self-examination or physician breast examination, which are at least as important as (if not more important than) mammography for breast cancer screening.

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.

I have seen patients where rough handling during mammography has caused implant rupture so this can happen. I always recommend that patients inform the radiologist in advance that their breasts have been augmented so the radiologist can instruct the mammography technician accordingly. There is a big variation in MRI prices depending upon the center but there are outpatient radiology clinics which will perform an MRI for about $400. If your current implants are not ruptured or show signs of deterioration/leakage on MRI, they do not need to be replaced prophylactically. This would be a strictly personal decision.

It is possible that a mammogram could potentially rupture your implants, but it is highly unlikely. Most are experienced dealing with implant patients.

The risk of breast implant rupture increases with age of the implant. I would not worry about it, as you need to do your routine screening.  The implants come with warranty also, so that is a reassurance.
I would bet that the insurance comapny can find out that you have implants with no trouble at all, so I would not recommend lying on your forms.
Finally, I would not recommend exchanging the implants unless you have a problem with your current ones, as you will be subjecting yourself to risks, and you want to be sure that the advantages outweigh them.