Mammograms With Breast Implants: What to Know | Weston, FL
Can You Get a Mammogram With Breast Implants? What You Need to Know
If you have breast implants—or are considering breast augmentation—you may wonder whether implants will affect future mammograms. The short answer is yes, you can and should continue receiving recommended breast cancer screenings after breast augmentation.
Your mammography team simply needs to know that you have implants so they can use specialized positioning and obtain the appropriate images.
At Weston Plastic Surgery, this is an important part of the breast augmentation conversation. Understanding how implants may affect mammograms can help you feel prepared and confident about protecting your breast health for years to come.
Do You Still Need Mammograms After Breast Augmentation?
Yes. Breast implants do not replace or eliminate the need for routine breast cancer screening.
If you have breast tissue, you should continue following the mammogram schedule recommended by your primary care physician, gynecologist, or breast specialist. Your ideal screening schedule may depend on your age, medical history, family history, breast density, and individual risk factors.
Breast implants are placed behind the breast tissue or behind the chest muscle. Because the natural breast tissue remains, it still needs to be screened.
How Is a Mammogram Performed With Breast Implants?
Both saline and silicone implants can obscure some breast tissue on a standard mammogram. For this reason, patients with implants typically receive the usual mammogram images along with additional implant displacement views.
During an implant displacement view, the technologist gently moves the implant back toward the chest wall while pulling the breast tissue forward for imaging. This allows the radiologist to see more of the natural breast tissue.
According to the American Cancer Society, patients with implants commonly receive four additional images—two of each breast—along with the four standard screening images.
The appointment may take slightly longer than a routine mammogram because of the additional positioning and images.
What Should You Tell the Mammography Center?
When scheduling your mammogram, tell the facility that you have breast implants. You should also ask whether its technologists have experience performing mammograms on patients with implants.
Remind your technologist about your implants when you arrive for your appointment. If you know the type of implant you have, where it was placed, and the date of your breast augmentation, share that information as well.
Keeping your breast implant device card in a safe place can make these details easier to provide.
Can a Mammogram Rupture a Breast Implant?
Implant rupture during mammography is possible, but the American Cancer Society describes it as very rare.
Choosing a mammography facility experienced with breast implants and informing the staff in advance allows the technologist to use appropriate positioning and care.
If you notice new breast pain, significant firmness, swelling, a lump, a change in breast shape, or another concern before your appointment, contact your physician. These symptoms should be evaluated rather than waiting for your next routine screening.
Is a Mammogram the Same as Screening an Implant for Rupture?
No. A mammogram is primarily used to screen breast tissue for signs of breast cancer. Imaging performed to evaluate the condition of a breast implant serves a different purpose.
For patients without symptoms who have silicone gel-filled implants, the FDA recommends a first ultrasound or MRI five to six years after the initial implant surgery and then every two to three years. If symptoms develop or an ultrasound produces uncertain results, an MRI may be recommended.
These implant-monitoring recommendations do not replace routine mammograms for breast cancer screening.
Saline implant ruptures are generally noticeable because the implant deflates as the saline is absorbed by the body. Silicone implant ruptures can be more difficult to detect without imaging, which is why long-term follow-up is important.
Should You Get a Mammogram Before Breast Augmentation?
Preoperative imaging is not identical for every patient. Whether you need a mammogram before breast augmentation will depend on your age, breast cancer risk, screening history, symptoms, and recommendations from your medical providers.
During your breast augmentation consultation, be prepared to discuss your most recent mammogram, family history of breast cancer, previous biopsies, breast symptoms, and other relevant health information.
If imaging is recommended before surgery, it should be completed and reviewed before moving forward.
Will Implant Placement Affect Future Mammograms?
Breast implants may be positioned above or below the chest muscle depending on a patient’s anatomy, goals, implant selection, and surgical plan.
Implant displacement views may be easier to perform when implants are located behind the chest muscle. However, implant placement should not be selected based on mammography alone.
Dr. Rothfield creates an individualized surgical plan after considering the full picture, including your anatomy, desired result, lifestyle, and long-term needs.
Mammograms and Breast Augmentation: The Bottom Line
Having breast implants does not mean you should skip mammograms.
Continue the screening schedule recommended by your healthcare provider, notify the mammography center about your implants when scheduling, and select a facility experienced in imaging patients with breast augmentation.
It is also important to understand that breast cancer screening and breast implant monitoring are separate. Mammograms evaluate breast tissue, while ultrasound or MRI may be recommended to assess silicone implant integrity.
If you are considering breast augmentation in Weston, Florida, Robert E. Rothfield, MD, FACS, can answer your questions about implant selection, placement, recovery, long-term monitoring, and future breast screenings.
Dr. Rothfield is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in private practice since 1994. Contact Weston Plastic Surgery at 954-389-7999 to schedule a complimentary breast augmentation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mammograms and Breast Implants
Can you get a mammogram if you have breast implants?
Yes. Patients with breast implants should continue routine mammograms as recommended by their healthcare providers. Additional implant displacement views are usually taken to show more of the natural breast tissue.
Do breast implants make mammograms less accurate?
Both saline and silicone implants can obscure some breast tissue. Specialized positioning and additional images help the radiologist evaluate as much breast tissue as possible.
Can mammogram compression damage a breast implant?
Implant rupture during a mammogram is possible but considered very rare. Tell the facility about your implants and choose a team experienced in performing mammograms on patients with breast augmentation.
Do I need an MRI instead of a mammogram if I have silicone implants?
Not necessarily. A mammogram screens breast tissue for cancer, while an MRI or ultrasound may be used to evaluate silicone implant integrity. One does not automatically replace the other.
How often should silicone breast implants be checked for rupture?
For patients without symptoms, the FDA recommends a first ultrasound or MRI five to six years after silicone implant surgery and every two to three years thereafter. Your physician may recommend a different plan based on your symptoms, medical history, or implant information.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with your healthcare providers about the screening and imaging recommendations appropriate for you.