Can you get a mammogram with breast implants? – Yes, people who have undergone breast implants can definitely get a mammogram. So, the next question might be: Do women with breast implants need mammograms? The answer is also yes.
If you have breast tissue, regular mammogram screenings are necessary to rule out cancer. Getting implants does not eliminate the risk of cancer. However, before making an appointment, you should inform the facility where you are planning to get the mammogram about your breast implant.
In the case of breast implants, extra steps will be required during the mammogram to elevate the breast tissue and get accurate imaging.
Are Mammograms Safe With Implants? (Rupture Risks)
During a standard mammogram, you place the breast on a plate attached to the X-ray machine and squeeze it to generate clearer images.
If you have breast implants, the primary concern is a breast implant rupture during a mammogram.
Recent studies have shown that the risk of breast implant rupture is rare during a mammogram. If implants rupture, it could be due to other reasons rather than mammography.
Radiographers use special methods to get the best images. Each breast will be squeezed (compressed) with the plates to get extra images, called push-back views.
Technicians will take extra care not to rupture the implants. The radiographers move the implant before the procedure, and it is the breast tissue that will be compressed.
What to Expect: How the Process Works
As you know, there are two types of breast implants:
- Saline breast implants that are filled with sterile salt water.
- Silicone breast implants that are filled with silicone gel.
Breast implants can make it difficult to see all the breast tissue on a mammogram. The implants block X-rays and can hide small tissue abnormalities.
Therefore, you should inform the radiographer about the implants.
To view the breast tissue, the technicians will take four extra pictures (2 on each breast). Four standard pictures will also be taken during a screening mammogram.
The four extra pictures are called implant displacement (ID) views. For imaging, you will be asked to push the implant back against the chest wall. The breast will be pulled forward and then compressed.
Implant displacement (IDs) are hard to do, and the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant makes it difficult to perform the mammogram and can be painful for you.
Extra Screening Options (3D, Ultrasound, MRI)
Additional breast imaging options are also available for evaluating breast tissue and ensuring implant integrity. It includes:
Breast ultrasound
Unlike mammography, which uses compression and radiation, ultrasound uses sound waves. This method does not disturb implants and evaluates the areas of concern. However, breast implants do not replace standard mammograms for cancer detection.
Breast MRI
MRIs are the most sensitive imaging options. Doctors will recommend a breast MRI for evaluating both breast tissue and implant integrity.
MRIs can detect:
- Silent implant ruptures
- Unclear mammogram images
- Abnormal breast tissue in high-risk patients
3D mammography
3D mammography offers layered images of the breast to improve tissue visibility. This type of mammography also reduces the need for repeated scans.
Standard breast compression is required for 3D mammography.
Quick Tips for Your Appointment
If you have breast implants and want to get a mammogram, you should always pick a lab that is experienced in implant mammography. Ensure that the radiographers and technicians are specially trained.
Here is a quick checklist to review before the test.
- Bring your last mammogram report if it was done at another clinic. This helps the radiographers compare the images.
- Never use lotion, deodorant, powder, or perfume under the arms or on your breasts before the test. They show up as calcium spots on the mammogram.
- Always schedule the test one week after your period. The breasts will be less tender.
- Tell your radiographer about the implants when you schedule the mammogram.
- Always wear a top that can be easily removed.
Advanced types of screening, such as 3D, ultrasound, and MRI, will be recommended for screening breast cancer, viewing implant integrity, and ruling out any silent silicone rupture.
Conclusion
So, the answer to whether you can get a mammogram with breast implants is yes. Mammograms are necessary, even if you get implants. Getting breast implants does not reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
If you have breast implants, a standard mammogram can be a painful procedure, as you need to gently push the implant back against the chest wall to pull the tissue forward. Other methods include ultrasound if the mammogram images are not reliable.
You also need to follow the checklist before the mammogram and ensure you tell the radiographer beforehand.
FAQs
1. How painful is a mammogram with breast implants?
If you have breast implants and are getting a mammogram, you should expect slight discomfort and pressure caused by the tight compression.
2. Can a mammogram rupture a breast implant?
No, a mammogram does not rupture a breast implant. Technicians take special care while compressing the implants.
3. Is an ultrasound better than a mammogram for breast implants?
An ultrasound is performed to check the integrity of the breast implants. On the other hand, doctors recommend a mammogram as part of a routine breast cancer screening.
4. What are the alternatives to a mammogram if I have breast implants?
A mammogram is a standard procedure for breast implants and is considered safe. In some cases, doctors might recommend getting an ultrasound or MRI.
5. What kind of mammogram is best for breast implants?
The best kind of mammogram for breast implants is Implant Displacement (ID). It offers better visibility and more images.
Reference:
The post Can You Get a Mammogram With Breast Implants? How Implants Affect Screening appeared first on Paleo For Women - Evolutionary Health, Revolutionary Womanhood.
* This article was originally published here
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