Breast augmentation could cause complications when getting a mammogram.
Getting a breast augmentation may cause problems when trying to get a mammogram. The implant can impede the image of the breast tissue, preventing doctors from detecting cancer. There are a variety of issues that can result from having breast augmentation. The breast implant could rupture and cause severe illness.
Location
Women with breast implants who are interested in getting a mammogram should ask their physician about where to go. The location should be a facility that regularly accepts women with breast implants. Women with breast implants should let the staff at the clinic or hospital where they are having the mammogram know about the implants for informational purposes.
Potential Implant Rupture
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported that most women with implants of 10 or more years may have one of the implants rupture. A mammogram may cause an older implant to rupture as the test requires squeezing of the breast. The risk of rupture with silicone breast implants could lead to permanent disfigurement of the breast.
Delayed Cancer Detection
Breast implants may interfere with the mammogram as they may obscure the mammogram image of a potential tumor. The mammography can be performed to minimize the interference of the implants. If the implant prevents a diagnosis, this could lead to more radical surgery such as a mastectomy.
Problems
Some implants, according to the FDA study, prevent a mammogram from being performed. This is because the implant amasses scar tissue that becomes hardened and causes the breast to become misshapen. This hardening and scarring can be extremely painful when the mammogram is being performed. The breast might be hardened to the point the breast can't be squeezed to perform the mammography.
Considerations
Women with breast implants should understand that they will have a different mammogram experience because of the implants. A women with breast implants must have a mammogram with special techniques that will push the implant out of the way. Also, mammograms performed on women with breast implants will take longer and may cost more. The woman may also be exposed to higher doses of radiation that can cause sickness.
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