Do Breast Implants Affect Mammograms?

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by Dr. Steven Wallach

Breast implants are one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures we perform at Steven Wallach, MD. Many women are looking to enhance the appearance of their breasts. However, many women with breast implants are concerned about whether they affect mammograms. Can mammograms detect cancer even with breast implants?

To ensure women with breast implants can make an informed decision, we’re going to answer one of the more important questions: Do breast implants affect mammograms?

How Breast Implants Affect Mammograms

According to the American Breast Cancer Society, breast implants may make it more difficult for medical professionals to see breast tissue on a mammogram. But that doesn’t mean a mammogram isn’t an effective tool to detect breast cancer.  You simply need to inform your technologist that you have implants and then they will make certain accommodations to ensure they get the best images of your breasts for an accurate screening.

Mammograms for Women with Breast Implants

Women who have breast implants should follow their physician’s advice and get routine mammograms. Before the actual mammogram begins, you should let the technologist know that you have implants. It’s not only helpful, but you can also learn if the facility has experience performing mammograms on women who have breast implants.

The technologists will take four additional images, known as implant displacement (ID) views, to help the doctor see as much breast tissue as possible. In these additional photos, the breast is pulled forward and compressed over the implant before being pushed back against the chest wall. This makes it possible for the front portion of each breast to be imaged more clearly.

Schedule A Consultation

While breast implants can make it more difficult for medical professionals to see breast tissue on a mammogram, this does not mean you should forgo getting mammograms. As long as you let your provider know that you have breast implants, the screening should go perfectly. Now that you know breast implants won’t affect your ability to get a mammogram, are you looking to enhance your breasts with implants? Dr. Wallach has more than 25 years of experience performing cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation. He can provide you with the results you’re looking for. Schedule a consultation today by calling our New York City, NY office at (929) 202-7089 or using our online contact form.