Breast Procedures

Breast Implants San Jose – Breast Implants and Cancer Information

Implants Do Not Cause Breast Cancer

There are many studies that show that the incidence of breast cancer is neither increased nor decreased by the presence of breast implants. San Jose cosmetic surgeon notes that delays in diagnosis could result in breast cancer being detected at a more advanced stage, but with regular breast self-examination and mammography this should not occur.

Having breast implants, San Jose does not change the recommendations of the American Cancer Society for breast cancer screening methods and mammography, but does mean that breast augmentation San Jose patients need to go to a mammographer that is highly skilled and experienced in reading mammograms of women with implants.

Breast self-examination is performed in the usual way, and because the implant is entirely underneath the breast tissue, not in the breast tissue, there is no interference with palpation of the breast.

With respect to mammography, it is important to know, however, that the presence of an implant can interfere with imaging of all of the breast tissue. This is because the density of saline is greater than that of fatty tissue, resulting in some difficulty in imaging the entire breast.

Usually multiple views are needed, at least three rather than the standard two views. The Ecklund technique, pulling the breast forward and away from the implant, is recommended.

To learn more about breast implants, San Jose and Northern California patients can contact our plastic surgery center to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Robert Lowen.