“Mammogram with breast implants”
I had breast implants done recently. I've been told by my PCP that I need to start having mammograms done. Will my implant burst? I've heard that your breast gets really squeezed during a mammogram.
12 Answers
Most institutions train their techs to perform mammograms safely and gently (albeit everyone’s pain tolerance isn’t the same). Just talk to the tech in the room and tell her it’s too tight or painful and they’ll adjust the pressure in real time to avoid any potential mishap.
I haven’t seen a ruptured breast implant due to a mammogram in my entire career. In theory implant rupture is possible especially if it’s an old frail implant.
I haven’t seen a ruptured breast implant due to a mammogram in my entire career. In theory implant rupture is possible especially if it’s an old frail implant.
Yes, the breast is compressed. This is done by a certified mammography tech. I have never seen an implant ruptured by this process.
Of course not. Don't worry about it.
In my 35 years experience, I have never seen an implant rupture from a mammogram. Mammography technologists are trained to deal with patients with implants and do special implant displaced views in addition to the routine images.
Although there is a higher risk for implant rupture as the implant ages and if it is composed of saline, the risk is still very low. However, both my wife and mother have implants and I would advise you as I have them to get your mammogram. The risk of missing a breast cancer and having a poor outcome is greater than possibility of having an implant rupture.
Dr Cox
Dr Cox
The breast implants will be fine. Less breast compression is used in patient with implants. Additional imaging is done with implants and the technologist performs implant displaced views. Without implants a standard mammogram has 4 images (2 of each breast). With implants, the standard mammogram has 8 views (4 with the implants in view and 4 with displacement of the implants out of the view).
No, there is no significant risk that your implant will rupture. The mammography technologist will use a special procedure to get the implant out of the way so as much breast tissue as possible can be imaged. "Implant mammography" is considered a routine procedure and hundreds of them are done every day. There is no need to be concerned about your implants.
The technologist obtains mild compression mammograms with the implants in place and more compressed views with the implants displaced so the are not being directly compressed. The mammography equipment has a compression limit it can apply to all views.
have a breast MRI study instead, d
Mammography with implants is done routinely and any good faculty will not burst your implants. You will get additional "pinch" views where the mammogram is taken pushing the implant out of the mammogram. You should have no concerns.
No
Stephen W. Kulbaba
Radiologist
Rupture of implants during mammography has been reported, however the risks are low. In addition, some women with breast implants report increased pain during mammography due to the compression. You should inform the center and the mammographer performing the study that you have breast implants as they may have protocols in place to alter the study to minimize the risk of rupture and pain. Alternatively, they may consider performing a breast MRI.
