Breast implants and mammograms: What women need to know
Breast implants are common, but misconceptions about how they affect breast cancer screenings can leave some women hesitant to schedule a mammogram. One of the most persistent myths is that implants make mammography unsafe or prevent doctors from getting a clear view of breast tissue.
In reality, women with breast implants can — and should — continue to receive routine mammograms, with specialized techniques available to help ensure thorough and accurate imaging.
Modern mammography is entirely safe for women with saline or silicone implants. The equipment used during a screening is carefully calibrated, and the likelihood of an implant rupturing under standard compression is exceptionally low. Furthermore, experienced technologists utilize specialized procedures, known as Eklund displacement views, to capture clear, detailed images of the breast tissue.
“We do hear from patients who are hesitant to schedule their screening because they were worried the machine would damage their implants or that the images wouldn’t be clear,” said Alexis Smith, DO, a fellowship-trained radiologist at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “The reality is that mammography equipment is designed to apply firm, controlled pressure without compromising implant integrity. Using displacement views, we gently push the implant back toward the chest wall while pulling the natural tissue forward, giving us a clear, high-resolution view of the breast tissue.”
While implants can obscure certain areas on a standard view, combining specialized techniques with supplemental imaging ensures complete coverage. It is important for women to tell their imaging technologist about their implants when scheduling and arriving for a mammogram. This allows the care team to plan the appropriate views and take any necessary precautions.
Women also should share whether their implants are saline or silicone and provide information about any previous breast surgeries or complications.
“Women with implants need the same routine screenings as women without them,” said Leah Smith, RT(R)(CT)(M) BAS, System Supervisor of Women’s Imaging at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Early detection remains the most effective tool against breast cancer, catching abnormalities when they are smallest and most treatable.”
Penn Highlands Healthcare provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art breast care for all women. For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/pink.