According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. Identifying this disease in its early stages can dramatically improve the likelihood of successfully treating it, which is why doctors encourage women to regularly conduct breast exams at home and undergo scheduled mammograms later in life.

With this in mind, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that women considering breast implants should ask their Miami plastic surgeons about how this procedure could affect their ability to have a mammogram performed.

Generally speaking, breast implants can obscure images from a mammogram, potentially making it more difficult for physicians to identify cancerous growths. However, as Dr. Sandhya Pruthi notes in a piece for the Mayo Clinic, “Studies show that mammograms are an effective way to screen for breast cancer in women with breast implants.”

The key to a more successful evaluation, Dr. Pruthi stresses, is to seek out clinicians who have experience performing mammograms on women who have undergone breast augmentation surgery. Then, make sure to reiterate the fact that you have breast implants at every stage during your appointment, so that the medical professionals you’re working with know what to look for and which techniques to use.

Breast implants can be truly transformative physically and emotionally, as they can enhance your figure and boost your self-confidence. If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery and want to learn more about the benefits and risks of this procedure, contact board-certified Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft today to schedule a consultation.