Is it harder to detect breast cancer after implant removal?

Dear pinkgolden11,
generally speaking, breast implants don't interfere with breast cancer detection. Also, once they are removed the remaining tissue will not prevent cancer detection.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Monthly self exams are encouraged as a way of identifying changes in the breasts. After you are healed from surgery you will get used to the new feel of your breasts just as you did after augmentation. You should continue with mammograms as recommended by your health care provider. Removal of the implants will not make detection more difficult.

No, removal of implants, with or without the capsules, does not make the detection of breast cancer more difficult.

Thanks for your question. You are correct that it is very important to know your breasts and to be aware of breast changes. After explantation, you will have follow-ups with your surgeon and will be involved in the process of knowing how your breasts are changing. This may help you to know what is a post-surgical change vs. something more concerning. I am not aware of any specific studies that examined breast cancer detection after explantation. However, with regular self breast exams, follow-ups with your surgeon, and appropriate imaging, you would be taking all of the steps to detect breast cancer in a timely manner. Also, removal of implants can make the mammographic imaging of the breasts easier.