Thank you for your inquiry regarding postings on DoctorBase, and yes I will be happy to share my thoughts on the submitted questions.

Do breast implants make it harder to detect breast cancer lumps?

The response to this question really depends on implant location and type of implant that is used. With the addition of tangential and oblique views, generally speaking there is minimal obscuring of the breast tissue by breast implants.

The incidence of breast cancer in implanted patients has been studies really extensively since about the 1960’s. There is no evidence of any increased incidence of the typical breast cancers in implanted patients. As a matter of fact, some researchers feel that the walls of the implant act as a mild antigenic stimulant to the breast tissue, therefore potentially reducing the incidence of breast cancer in the implanted population. Of course if the referring physician feels it indicated, there are very accurate studies of the breast tissue, namely MRI that can look at the tissue millimeter by millimeter.



In response to the second question “I have breast cancer in my family and am considering getting breast implants.”

The familial genetic incidence of breast cancer would be determined by a workup known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. If in the unlikely event that a patient might be genetic positive with a predisposition for breast cancer, I would generally spend a great amount of time counseling this particular individual. Here in Houston, we would refer these patients to the Baylor College of Medicine Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center to get an absolute handle on the genetic predisposition if indeed there is a BRCA1 and BRCA2 positivity. We would then make a decision with the patient and the staff at the Baylor College of Medicine regarding breast implants. It is not uncommon for a patient to have a relative with breast cancer, and generally, unless the patient has a genetic predisposition, this would not contraindicate breast implants.

Franklin A. Rose, MD
http://www.plasticsurgeryrose.com/

Franklin A. Rose