"I have breast implants and am turning 40. Should I have an annual mammogram?"
I received an email today from a patient that writes, “I have breast implants and am turning 40. Should I have an annual mammogram?” She goes on in the letter to talk about her worries of causing rupture of the implant when her breast is compressed during the study. I want to make it perfectly clear to this patient and to any woman that has breast implants that following the ACS guidelines for yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 is absolutely critical. Yes, absolutely have your annual mammogram; it could save your life!
Let me go into this a little further. Breast augmentation is the most commonly performed plastic surgical procedure in the United States. Approximately 300,000 cases were performed last year alone. If one in every 8 women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, that would mean that of this cohort, 37500 women would be expected to develop breast cancer. This is a huge number and breast cancer screening is critical to these women. While it is true that breast augmentation decreases the sensitivity of mammograms, this does not seem to impact prognosis or survival rates. I am aware of 3 studies that have evaluated this issue and all 3 concluded that mammography should be used for augmented patients at appropriate intervals as part of a woman’s screening for breast cancer. At this point in time, other screening methods are not recommended, although ultrasonography may become an increasingly important modality in augmented women with very dense breasts. What is important, however, is that an augmented woman that is planning to undergo mammography should have the study performed by clinicians who are trained in implant imaging.
Here are the current recommendations of the American Cancer Society and this table and additional information can be found at their website www.cancer.org:
| What Has Changed and Why | |||
| Former guidelines (1997) | Updated guidelines and information (May 2003) | Explanation | |
| Women at average risk | |||
| Mammography | Annually starting at age 40 | No change from 1997 recommendation. There is a tremendous amount of additional, credible evidence of the benefit of mammography since 1997, especially regarding women in their 40s. | Women can feel confident about the benefits associated with regular screening mammography. However, mammography also has limitations: it will miss some cancers, and it sometimes leads to follow up of findings that are not cancer, including biopsies. |
| CBE | Every three years for women 20-39; annually for women 40 and older | CBE should be part of a woman’s periodic health examination, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and annually for women 40 and older. | CBE is a complement to regular mammography screening and an opportunity for women and their health care providers to discuss changes in their breasts, risk factors, and early detection testing. |
| BSE | Monthly starting at age 20 | Women should report any breast change promptly to their healthcare provider.Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. It is acceptable for women to choose not to do BSE or to do it occasionally. | Research has shown that BSE plays a small role in detecting breast cancer compared with self awareness. However, doing BSE is one way for women to know how their breasts normally feel and to notice any changes. |
| Older women and women with serious health problems | Additional research is needed. | Continue annual mammography, regardless of age, as long as a woman does not have serious, chronic health problems. For women with serious health problems or short life expectancy, evaluate ongoing early detection testing. | There is a need to balance the potential benefits of ongoing screening mammography in women with limited longevity against the limitations. The survival benefit of a current mammogram may not be seen for several years. |
| Women known to be at increased risk | |||
| Women known to be at increased risk | Women with a family history of breast cancer should discuss guidelines with their doctors. | Women known to be at increased risk may benefit from earlier initiation of early detection testing and/or the addition of breast ultrasound or MRI. | The evidence available is only sufficient to offer general guidance. This guidance will help women and their doctors make more informed decisions about screening. |
The abbreviations CBE represent clinical breast examinations performed by your doctor, and BSE is bilateral self examinations performed by you.
If you worry about implant rupture with mammography, this is a risk. But let me ask you, is the cost of replacing an implant worth your life? I don’t think so, speak with your doctor and please follow the ACS guidelines.
Our websites www.beauty-surgeon.com and www.drmckane.com have additional information and before and after photographs of breast augmentation for review. I invite you to schedule a consultation with me if you would like to learn more about breast augmentation or breast cancer screening in augmented patients. Please feel free to contact our office at (713) 661-5255 if you have any questions.
-Brice W. McKane, M.D.
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