Have You Had Your Mammograms, M’am?
Mammograms and Breast Implants:
Breast implants are used for augmentation (to make the breasts larger) or for reconstruction after mastectomy. The breast implant is usually filled with a fluid material such as saline, silicone or a combination of the two materials.
Because an X-ray beam is unable to penetrate the implant, special mammographic views are required to visualize the breast tissue that are obscured by the implant. One view requires that the technologist manipulate the implant by pulling the breast forward to compress the breast tissue without the implant in view. This may be uncomfortable, but does not harm the implant. Additionally, patients with breast implants will have standard mammogram films taken, which are also harmless to the implant.
