Do you have breast implants? This comprehensive guide provides crucial information on maintaining your long-term breast health, including the importance of regular cancer screenings, how to check for silicone implant ruptures, and key signs to look for during at-home self-checks.
Breast implants are an investment in your confidence, and we expect them to last around 15-20 years. However, a proactive approach to your breast and implant health is crucial for long-term satisfaction and safety. Here’s a detailed guide on how to check your breast implants and what to look for.
1. Routine Breast Cancer Screenings
It’s essential to follow the standard recommendations for breast cancer screening, regardless of your implants. For most people, this means getting a mammogram starting at age 40, unless you have a high-risk family history that warrants earlier screening.
Answering a Common Concern: Can a Mammogram Damage My Implants?
It is a common worry that the pressure from a mammogram could rupture an implant. While this is possible, it is extremely rare. Breast implants are durable and designed to withstand significant pressure. In cases where a rupture is noticed after a mammogram, it’s far more likely that a small, pre-existing defect was simply made more obvious by the pressure, rather than the mammogram being the direct cause.
The importance of screening for breast cancer far outweighs the minimal risk to your implants. Making sure you are cancer-free is a much higher priority, so you should absolutely get your recommended mammograms.
2. Screening for Silicone Implant Rupture
Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, so when they rupture, they simply deflate, and the solution is harmlessly absorbed by your body. The deflation is immediately noticeable, so no special screening is needed.
Silicone implants, however, are filled with a thick, cohesive gel. When they rupture, the gel usually stays within the scar tissue capsule that your body forms around the implant. This is known as a silent rupture because there may be no visible signs of a problem.
Why You Need to Screen for Silicone Ruptures:
Preventing Capsular Contracture: If a silicone implant is ruptured and left unchecked, the body’s natural response can be to form an excessive amount of scar tissue around it, a condition called capsular contracture. This can make the breast feel firm, hard, and distorted.
Proactive Health: Routine screening ensures that any issues are identified early, before they can cause more significant problems.
Screening Recommendations:
If you have silicone implants, it’s recommended that you get them checked with either an ultrasound or MRI. The standard timeline is:
First Check: 5 years after the implants are placed.
Subsequent Checks: Every 2-3 years after the initial screening.
At our practice, we offer all of our patients complimentary follow-up ultrasound implant checks in the office, making it easier for you to stay on top of your breast implant health.
3. Home Self-Checks and What to Look For
It is always important to be in tune with your body. If you notice any changes in your breasts, you should make an appointment to get them checked by your plastic surgeon.
Signs to Watch For:
Changes in Shape: A new asymmetry or a change in the overall shape of your breast.
Changes in Firmness: A new or sudden increase in firmness or hardness in one breast.
Lumps: Any new lumps or masses, either in the breast tissue or in the armpit area.
New Pain: Any new or unexplained pain around the implants.
Signs of Deflation: For saline implants, a noticeable loss of volume or a “deflated” appearance.
These symptoms could be signs of a problem with either the implants or the surrounding breast tissue, which may point to a need for further testing or an in-depth evaluation.
Prioritizing Your Long-Term Breast Health
Maintaining the health of your breasts and implants is a shared responsibility. By adhering to routine screenings, understanding the specific needs of your implants, and staying vigilant with self-checks, you can enjoy a lifetime of confidence with your results.
If you have any questions or concerns about your breast implants, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our experienced plastic surgeon in Denver, CO, Dr. Joyce Aycock. We are here to support you in all aspects of your breast health journey.
