I have breast implants and Im 39 years old. Its almost time for a mammogram. How do they perform a mammogram with implants without popping them?
2007-05-20 07:08:46 · 5 answers · asked by crystal lee 5 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Breast Implants Require Special Mammogram Techniques
Interference with mammogram readings can occur with breast implants. This interference may delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer by hiding suspicious lesions. Implants increase the technical difficulty of taking and reading mammograms. It is important that a woman with breast tissue and a breast implant undergo mammography to detect breast cancer.
Mammography requires severe breast compression that could contribute to implant rupture. Special techniques are used to reduce the risk of implant rupture during this compression, and to maximize visualization of the breast tissue during mammography.
These techniques are called breast implant displacement views, Eklund displacement views or Eklund views, after the physician who developed them. Women with implants should always inform the receptionist or scheduler that they have breast implants when making an appointment for mammography and tell the radiologic technologist about the presence of implants before mammography is performed. This is to make sure that the technologists use these special displacement techniques and take extra care when compressing the breasts to avoid rupturing the implant.
The displacement procedure involves pushing the implant back and gently pulling the breast tissue into view. Several factors affect the success of this special technique in imaging the breast tissue in women with breast implants. Therefore, the location of the implant, the degree (hardness) of the capsular contracture, the size of the breast tissue compared to the implant and other factors may affect how well the breast tissue can be imaged.
Also, a radiologist may find it difficult to distinguish calcium deposits in the scar tissue around the implant from a breast tumor when he or she is interpreting the mammogram. Occasionally, it is necessary to remove and examine a small amount of tissue (biopsy) to see whether or not it is cancerous. This can frequently be done without removing the implant.
2007-05-20 07:15:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They material that implants are made of, is very durable. They perform the mommogram as allways. There are a few new techniques that you should hear about. They have a new test done by CT scan that is awesome ( no smashing ). By the way what do you mean almost time for a mammo at 39. You should be doing one every couple of years NOW!
2007-05-20 14:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by club_trumper 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They push the implant back and pull the breast tissue forward.
http://www.breastcancer.org/breast_implant_mammogram.html
2007-05-20 14:11:37 · answer #3 · answered by RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just had mine also, you must tell the tech. as they will ask you if you have implants! no worries it was easy and painless have no clue what all the hyp. is about it hurting is??? they will not squeeze down on you!!!!
2007-05-20 19:42:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
unknown looks like the implants would cover cancer worries.
2007-05-20 14:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋