One of the most common questions patients ask after breast augmentation is whether they can still get routine mammograms. The short answer is yes — but there are important things every patient with implants needs to know before their next screening.
Can You Get a Mammogram With Breast Implants?
Yes. Having breast implants does not disqualify you from mammogram screening, and it does not mean you should skip it. Routine mammography remains an essential cancer screening tool for patients with implants, just as it is for those without.
What changes is the technique. Standard mammogram views can be partially obscured by the implant, so radiologists use a specialized method called the Eklund displacement technique — also called implant displacement views. This involves gently pushing the implant back toward the chest wall so that more natural breast tissue is pulled forward and into view. The result is a clearer, more complete image of the tissue that needs to be screened.
Patients with implants typically receive additional images compared to standard screening — usually four views per breast instead of two. This takes slightly longer but is routine practice at any experienced mammography facility.
Do Breast Implants Affect Mammogram Accuracy?
Implants can obscure a portion of breast tissue, particularly with standard views. The implant displacement technique significantly improves visibility, but in some cases — especially with subglandular implants placed above the muscle — a small area of tissue may remain partially blocked.
A study published in Scientific Reports evaluating mammograms in 96 patients with implants found that using implant displacement views alongside standard views meaningfully improved breast tissue visualization and cancer detection compared to standard views alone. (Park et al., Scientific Reports, 2023)
For patients where tissue visibility remains a concern, your radiologist may recommend supplemental imaging such as breast ultrasound or MRI. These are not replacements for mammography — they are additional tools used alongside it when clinically indicated.
What to Tell Your Radiologist Before the Exam
Always inform the mammography technologist and radiologist about your implants before the exam begins. The information they need includes:
- That you have breast implants — never assume they will notice from a prior record
- Implant type — silicone gel or saline
- Implant placement — above the muscle (subglandular) or below the muscle (submuscular/subpectoral)
- Date of your augmentation — helps the radiologist contextualize your imaging history
- Any changes you have noticed — asymmetry, firmness, or changes in shape that may warrant closer evaluation
Submuscular placement — where the implant sits beneath the pectoral muscle — generally allows better mammogram visualization than subglandular placement. Dr. Gartner discusses implant placement options in detail during your breast augmentation consultation, including how each option affects long-term screening.
Can a Mammogram Rupture Breast Implants?
This is a concern many patients raise, and it is understandable. The compression used during mammography is firm. However, implant rupture during a routine mammogram is extremely rare. Modern implants — both silicone and saline — are engineered to withstand significant compression forces well beyond what standard screening involves.
If you have any concerns about the current condition of your implants prior to a scheduled mammogram, discuss them with Dr. Gartner first. He can assess implant integrity and advise whether any additional evaluation is warranted before screening.
MRI and Breast Implants: What the FDA Recommends
The FDA recommends that patients with silicone gel implants undergo MRI screening 5 to 6 years after placement and every 2 to 3 years thereafter to monitor for silent rupture — rupture that produces no obvious symptoms. MRI is more sensitive than mammography for detecting implant rupture and can also provide improved visualization of breast tissue in certain patients.
MRI does not replace mammography for cancer screening. The two serve different purposes and are used together as part of a comprehensive monitoring plan for patients with implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do breast implants affect mammogram accuracy?
Implants can partially obscure breast tissue on standard views. The Eklund displacement technique improves visibility significantly, but supplemental ultrasound or MRI may be recommended in some cases. Submuscular implant placement generally allows better tissue visualization than subglandular placement.
Should I get an MRI instead of a mammogram if I have breast implants?
MRI and mammography serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. Mammography remains the primary cancer screening tool. MRI is recommended by the FDA every 2 to 3 years after the initial 5 to 6 year mark for silicone implant patients to monitor implant integrity. Both may be used together for comprehensive screening.
What should I tell my radiologist before a mammogram with implants?
Tell them you have implants, the type (silicone or saline), placement (above or below the muscle), the date of your augmentation, and any changes you have noticed. This ensures the correct imaging technique is used and your results are interpreted accurately.
Have questions about breast implants? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Gartner at Gartner Plastic Surgery in Paramus, NJ, or call (201) 546-1890.
