Breast Implants and Cancer

Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants

During October – marked as National Breast Cancer Awareness month – many women became more aware of the risks of breast cancer and visited their doctors for breast examinations.

Good News for Women with Breast Implants!

A recent National Cancer Society report explained that several scientific studies have ALL noted that having breast implants – including silicone implants - do NOT increase the risk of breast cancer.

However, in some cases, breast implants may obscure images of tumors.

So what precautions should be taken for women with breast implants?

The screening can be a little different, according to the Mayo Clinic:

If you have breast implants, consider:

•    Having your mammogram at a facility that sees many women who have undergone breast augmentation.

•    Asking if the radiologist is experienced in reading images with breast implants .

•    Ask the radiologist if he or she can provide you with “implant displacement views.” Basically, the radiologist pushes the implants out of the way so that the breast tissue can be more clearly seen.

•    Having an MRI three years after your silicone implant procedure, and then every two years thereafter, to check for implant rupture.  (Breakage or leakage of the implant is rare, but does happen in a small number of cases.)

New Technology for Breast Cancer Screening in Breast Augmentation Patients

Not much is written about it, but another way to check for tumors in augmented breasts is through a technology known as Breast thermography, an FDA approved screening tool since 1982. This technology uses no radiation or compression and causes no pain.

Because the density of breast tissue does not limit breast thermography technology, it is ideal for women with breast implants or those who have undergone reconstructive breast surgery.

California Surgical Institute @ November 15, 2008