Can you have a mammography with implants? 1
Yes, absolutely. You can have a mammography with implants. What’s more, it’s essential to keep having examinations and check-ups regularly.
An implant should not be an impediment to your health. With the right information and examination, you can continue to have regular screening safely and with full peace of mind.
How is a mammography carried out with breast implants?
A mammography with breast implants is an examination that makes it possible to assess breast tissue in women with breast prostheses. Implants can make it difficult to view part of the tissue, which is why sometimes the technicians use special techniques called Eklund or displacement views, which enable them to push the implant backwards against the wall of the breast and the breast tissue is brought forwards so that it can be seen in a mammography with breast implants.
This way, they can get clear images and make diagnoses, minimising risks and obtaining the necessary information.
Considerations and precautions when having a mammography with implants
- Always tell the radiology centre that you have breast implants.
- Make sure that the staff performing the examination are specialised in mammographys with breast implants.
- Take your Patient Card with you, which your surgeon will give you after your operation. Your technician will then be able to check the details of your implant.
Differences with a mammography without implants
The main difference is in the technique: whereas a standard mammography only compresses the breast tissue, in women with implants, the breast implant needs to be carefully moved to get images of the actual tissue.
An implant can make it difficult to get quality images and a complete view of the breast tissue in conventional examinations. As such, you will need to tell the radiologist in charge so that they can use the correct technique and adapt the compression in the examination.1,2,3,4
Other methods, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, may be useful in conjunction with a mammography, as they do not require compression and enable the technician to examine the area from any angle.1,2,3,4
In other words, a mammography continues to be an effective examination, even with silicone. What changes is the technical approach, which is completely predictable and safe when performed by qualified professionals.
This means that the examination may take a little longer and they may need more views.
When is it important to have a mammography if you have implants?
The indications for having a mammography do not change because you have implants. Mammographys are recommended:
● From the age of 40 with regular screening. 5
● Beforehand if you have a family history of breast cancer. 6
● At any time if you notice changes to your breasts, such as lumps, inversions or secretion. 7
Is there interference in a mammography with breast implants?
The interference happens when the presence of implants leads to an incorrect reading of the results. For example, a false positive diagnosis of rupture, leading to unnecessary explants.
Breast implants can interfere with the quality of a mammography, covering suspicious patches in the breast tissue, masking results and delaying the start of cancer treatment. As such, patients need to be instructed about requesting the services of professionals who have experience in performing mammographys on patients with breast implants, telling the radiologist to adapt the breast compression and, when Silimed breast implants are used, don’t forget to show the “Silimed Product Tracking Card – for Patients”, an essential part of your post-surgical care to ensure the safety of your breast implants.
Tips before having a mammography with breast implants
- Go to a centre that is specialised in patients with breast implants.
- Always tell the staff that you have implants before the examination.
- If you notice any changes to your breasts, tell the radiologist.
- Take any previous reports you may have to compare results.
In some cases, patients are offered an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging in addition to the mammography for a complete diagnosis.
What you need to tell the technician
- Type of implant
- Year it was positioned.
- Prior surgeries to the breast.
- If you have noticed any discomfort, changes or recent alterations.
FAQs about mammographys with implants
Does a mammography with implants hurt more than normal? 8
Not necessarily, but it may be somewhat more uncomfortable. Implants need additional compressions and special techniques to move the implant and get clear images of the breast tissue.
How often can you have a mammography with implants? 9
The recommended frequency is the same as for women without implants: once every year or two years, depending on your age, personal history and medical recommendations.
What happens if the implant is recent? 10
If the implant is recent (under 6 months), you would usually wait before having a mammography, unless there is an urgent medical reason. During that time, the tissue is healing and may be inflamed, making it difficult to get accurate images and increasing the risk of discomfort.
- IUP 001-01-T-EC (R16)
- IUP 001-01-P-E (R18)
- IUP 001-01-L-EC (R08)
- IUP 001-01-LN-EC (R03)
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html
- https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
- https://www.radnet.com/pure-mammography/news/breast-implants-and-mammographys
- https://www.puremammo.com/2019/06/14/do-mammographys-hurt-with-breast-implants
- https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
- https://www.realself.com/question/calabasas-ca-long-after-breast-augmentation-mammogram-ba-10-20-call-dr
1. IUP 001-01-T-EC (R16)
2. IUP 001-01-P-E (R18)
3. IUP 001-01-L-EC (R08)
4. IUP 001-01-LN-EC (R03)
6. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
7. https://www.radnet.com/pure-mammography/news/breast-implants-and-mammograms
8. https://www.puremammo.com/2019/06/14/do-mammograms-hurt-with-breast-implants
9. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
