Can breast implants increase your cancer risk? “The short answer is no, breast implants don’t increase your risk for breast cancer,” says Jennifer Manders, MD, breast surgeon at The Christ Hospital. “However, implants can make it hard to look at every single area of the breast on mammography.”
Women with implants may experience a little discomfort during their mammograms. Dr. Manders explains that sometimes special displacement views must be used to visualize areas that are difficult to see with implants in place.
Is there a link between implants and lymphoma?
Dr. Manders does confirm that there is a type of lymphoma that is associated with textured implants; however, it’s extremely rare. If you are a patient with textured implants, the current recommendation is to watch for changes in the size or shape of the breast. Then call your doctor if something seems off.
“There is no reason for everyone with implants to run to the operating room,” says Dr. Manders.
Other risks of implants
Complications from implants include infection, pain in the nipples or breast, leakage, skin issues or even needing additional surgeries to amend potential cosmetic problems. If you are experiencing any of these issues, call your physician today to set up an appointment.
How popular are implants?
According to the National Center for Health Research, breast augmentation has tripled in popularity since 1997. In 2018, more than 310,000 women underwent breast augmentation and 100,000 women had reconstructive breast surgery following their mastectomies.
Would you like to learn more about breast health? Schedule an appointment online with one of our women’s health specialists today. If you’d like to schedule a mammogram, we offer mammograms at seven convenient locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. Call 513-585-2668 or schedule your mammography appointment online.