Breast Cancer Awareness month is upon us, and with it, comes the steady reminder of the disease’s wide reaching impact on women across the St. Louis area. It only makes sense, then, that if you have breast implants or are thinking about getting implants, you may be concerned that they will make it more difficult to detect and treat breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. A relief for many women, there has been no link between breast implants, either silicone or saline, and breast cancer. Nor is there any evidence that breast implants decrease the chance of early detection and treatment options.
While the data on breast cancer in women with and without implants are the same, there are steps that women considering and with implants can take to ensure the health of their breasts.
Before Augmentation
During your initial breast augmentation consultation, your surgeon will discuss your breast health and may conduct a thorough physical examination. An important step, this allows us to make sure that your breasts are healthy before we proceed with your augmentation.
Self-Examination
In about 90 percent of breast cancer cases, women find a breast lump themselves. An implant shouldn’t prevent a woman from checking her breasts. On the contrary, breast implants may actually make self-exams easier as the implant lies behind the breast and pushes the breast tissue forward, making lumps more pronounced and easier to feel and identify.
Mammograms
Yearly mammograms are important for women over the age of 40 with and without implants. For women with implants, mammograms can be performed in the same fashion as they would for a woman without implants. Implants may require that extra images are taken to ensure your breast is viewed from all of the best possible angles.
Renaissance Plastic Surgeon’s Dedication to You
At Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we understand that breast cancer is daunting and are committed to working with you before, during, and after your breast augmentation to ensure you are comfortable and healthy. Remember, whether you have implants or not, your best defense against breast cancer is to perform monthly self-exams.