Understanding Breast Implants and Breast Health
Breast health is important for all women—including those with breast implants. Whether you have saline, silicone, smooth, or textured implants, being informed about how they affect exams and screenings can help you stay on top of your health.
First, let’s clear up a common concern: breast implants do not cause breast cancer. However, they can make it slightly more challenging to detect changes in breast tissue—so extra attention during self-exams and mammograms is key.
How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam with Implants
Doing monthly self-exams is still recommended with implants. Here’s how to adapt your approach:
- Know Your Baseline: Learn what your implants normally feel like. Gently press around them to understand the shape and texture.
- Check All Tissue: Don’t just check the implant—feel the natural tissue around it. Lumps can still develop outside the implant area.
- Be Consistent: Perform exams regularly, ideally once a month at the same time.
- Understand Implant Type: Silicone implants can feel more like natural tissue, so learning what’s “normal” for you is essential.
- Ask for Help: If you’re unsure about technique, your doctor or OB/GYN can guide you through it.
Tip: Do your self-exam in both lying down and standing positions, including in the shower where it may be easier to feel changes.
Mammograms with Breast Implants
You can—and should—still get routine mammograms if you have implants. Here’s what to expect:
- Special Techniques Help: Radiologists use the Eklund technique, which gently displaces the implant to view more of the natural breast tissue.
- Let Them Know Ahead of Time: When booking your appointment, tell the clinic you have implants. This ensures the right equipment and extra time are available.
- Expect Extra Views: More images may be taken to ensure the entire breast is examined clearly.
- Other Imaging Tools: If needed, your provider may also recommend ultrasound or MRI—especially if you have dense breast tissue or silicone implants.
Common Myths—Cleared Up
- Myth: Implants increase your cancer risk.
Fact: There’s no evidence linking breast implants to a higher risk of typical breast cancer. - Myth: Mammograms aren’t accurate with implants.
Fact: With proper technique, mammograms can still detect changes and catch early-stage cancer.
Your Partner in Breast Health
At Gregory Rhodes MD Cancer Center, we offer advanced screening techniques and compassionate, personalized care for all women—including those with implants. Whether you're due for a routine mammogram or want help with self-exam techniques, our team is here for you.
Schedule your consultation today at BASSCancerCenter.com/contact-us or call (925) 433-8786.
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