Kansas City Plastic Surgery

Breast cancer is a concern for all women, and having yearly mammograms according to your doctor's guidelines is a powerful tool in early detection. But what effect does breast augmentation have on mammograms? Can augmentation compromise early cancer detection?

The percentage of cancers detected in early stages is roughly the same in women with and without breast implants. This evidence suggests that the presence of breast implants does not affect early detection of breast cancer. Implants can, however, make mammograms a bit more problematic.

Implants can actually make manual detection of irregularities in the breast tissue easier because of the way the implants change the contours of the breast. With mammography, though, the implants can present a challenge in getting clear pictures. You might have to have additional films taken during your mammogram to be sure all the breast tissue is adequately examined. If you have silicone implants, doctors often recommend regular MRIs, both for better views of the tissue and to monitor the condition of your implants.

A submuscular implant causes less disruption to mammography because, being placed beneath the chest muscle, it doesn't disrupt the breast tissue. If you have implants, be sure the technician doing your mammography knows ahead of time. You're likely to get much better results from your mammogram if you work with a technician who has experience working with implants.

If you have any questions about breast augmentation and mammograms, please contact Dr. Matt Chhatre at his Lee's Summit, Missouri and Kansas City offices. We'll be happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation to discuss any concerns you may have.