Do breast implants interfere with mammograms?
⚠️ Contact your doctor promptly if you notice these changes
If you notice a sudden change in breast shape, new lumps, pain, swelling, or any change around your implant, contact your surgeon or doctor as soon as possible. These could be signs of implant rupture, infection, or, rarely, other serious conditions that need prompt evaluation. Do not wait for your next scheduled mammogram.
Short answer
Yes, breast implants do make mammograms more challenging because the implant can block or obscure nearby breast tissue. However, a special technique called implant displacement (pushing the implant back while pulling breast tissue forward) significantly improves the quality of the images and cancer visibility, so regular screening is still very much possible.
What the research shows
Breast implants are opaque on X-ray, which means they can hide surrounding breast tissue and make it harder to spot abnormalities. [3] Studies confirm that standard mammogram views show lower image resolution and less cancer visibility when implants are present, compared with views taken using the implant-displacement (ID) technique. [4] A survey of mammography units found wide variation in practice and a lack of awareness of the displacement technique, with only about 17% of centers using it at the time of the study. [5] Importantly, the displacement technique was found to provide superior results to the standard compression method. [5]
A 2023 study of 162 breasts (including 71 with biopsy-proven cancers) found that implant-displaced views alone were sufficient for screening, offering better cancer visibility, especially in dense breasts with implants placed under the muscle. [4]
Additional imaging options
For women who need more than a standard mammogram, several alternatives exist. Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) has been shown to be feasible and safe in women with implants: in one study of 198 exams, all were completed successfully and only one minor side effect (mild dizziness from the contrast dye) occurred. [6] Breast MRI is another option, particularly for women at higher risk of breast cancer or those with dense breasts, and it is specifically noted as useful for evaluating implants as well. [7] When it comes to detecting implant rupture specifically, MRI outperforms both mammography and ultrasound, with mammography having a sensitivity of only about 28% for rupture detection. [1]
What this means for you
Having breast implants does not mean you should skip mammograms. It does mean you should always tell the mammography technologist about your implants before the exam so they can use the displacement technique. [4][5] Research does not suggest that women with implants are diagnosed with more advanced breast cancer or have a worse outcome, which may in part reflect the importance of continued screening. [8] If you are at increased risk of breast cancer or have dense breasts, ask your doctor whether supplemental imaging such as MRI or CEM might be appropriate for you. [6][7]
What to ask your surgeon or radiologist
- Does this mammography center routinely use the implant-displacement technique?
- Should I have additional imaging (MRI or contrast-enhanced mammography) given my breast density or personal risk factors?
- How long have my implants been in place, and should I have them checked for integrity?