What is a mammogram with breast implants like?
Mammography with breast implants requires special positioning and additional mammographic views. A mammogram with breast implants will usually consist of four views of each breast, one from above and one from the side and two displacement views. Displacement views consist of moving the implant back toward the chest wall and bringing the breast tissue forward. Images are obtained by firmly and briefly pressing the breast tissue between a compression paddle and a plate. Adequate compression is essential to detect subtle abnormalities and reduce radiation exposure. Damage to implants from a mammogram procedure is extremely rare. In addition, visualization of breast tissue around implants can be more difficult. This makes regular self breast exam and a clinical breast exam by your doctor an important part of your breast health routine.
