Women With Breast Implants Encouraged To Go Beyond Regular Mammogram Screening

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Breast Cancer;  MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 29 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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NewImage.com, the premier online destination for personal image enhancement solutions, is pleased to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month for a second year by helping raise awareness of the importance of early detection and encouraging women with breast implants to go beyond regular mammography screenings to reduce the risk of possibly missing a tumor hidden under an implant.

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NewImage.com wants every woman with breast implants to feel confident about the precautions she is taking against breast cancer. In addition to regular mammography screenings, monthly breast-self exams and a risk assessment from a physician, NewImage.com suggests* women with breast implants to be extra cautious and educate themselves about the risks and responsibilities that come with undergoing breast augmentation.

Breast implants make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram because the implants can hide some breast tissue and block the image of a tumor. Because of this, standard techniques used in mammography for compression of the breast and imaging are not as effective for women with breast implants and additional screening tools, such as MRI and ultrasound are recommended.

Whether women have saline breast implants or silicone breast implants, NewImage.com recommends that women with implants consider the following guidelines before their next mammogram appointment:

- Find a mammography facility that has experience dealing with women who have breast implants. You will benefit both from a technician who has experience conducting diagnostic mammograms on women with breast implants and minimizes the risk of rupturing an implant and from a radiologist who has experienced reading the sometimes-tricky images that breast implants can produce.

- When you schedule your appointment, inform the facility that you have implants so the staff can allow more time to perform additional imaging of the breast tissue and can have the appropriate staff working with you.

- Request implant displacement views of your breasts if they are not already being taken, as this involves moving the implant out of the image to get a better view of the breast tissue.

It is important to mention that research has not shown a direct correlation between implants and higher risk of breast cancer, and although mammography does not detect cancer as well in women with implants, this doesn't appear to result in more advanced cancers at diagnosis. What women need to keep in mind is that the earlier a tumor is found the more likelihood there is for survival, and to diagnose breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stages, women 40 and over must get annual mammograms.

Free mammogram exams are provided during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means there is no excuse for not making this important appointment. For a list of clinics currently providing this service, those interested can visit http://www.acr.org/accreditation/AccreditedFacilitySearch.aspx. The pink ribbon, a symbol of breast cancer awareness, will also be visible on NewImage.com as a constant reminder of the importance of annual mammograms and breast self-examination to women with breast implants and without. As part of its support, NewImage.com also made a donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation this month in an effort to help turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors and continue the research to find the cure of breast cancer.

For additional information on how you too can support NBCAM visit http://www.komen.org and to learn more about breast augmentation, breast implants, their risks and benefits, visit NewImage.com or read the article titled Getting a Mammography with Breast Implants.

*Information provided by NewImage.com is not medical advice and should be used for educational and general reference purposes only. This information is provided with the understanding that NewImage.com is not engaged in rendering plastic surgery medical advice or recommendations. Any information in the publications, messages, postings or articles on the website should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board certified surgeon to address individual medical needs. Your particular facts and circumstances will determine the most appropriate plastic surgery treatment for you. NewImage.com does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and is not responsible for any actions resulting from the use of this information. Always consult a physician.

About NewImage.com

Founded in 2006, NewImage.com is the premier online cosmetic surgery and elective health destination for personal image enhancement solutions and information to help consumers make educated decisions about elective medical and dental procedures. With reliable and accurate information on cosmetic plastic surgery, surgical hair restoration, med spa therapies, cosmeceuticals, laser hair removal, and cosmetic dentistry; access to a network of independent board-certified surgeons nationwide; flexible financing programs and personal image consulting assistance with surgical procedures; NewImage.com can be considered the one-stop destination for cosmetic plastic surgery consultations and more. NewImage.com is based out of Norwalk, CT. http://www.newimage.com

About My Choice Medical

My Choice Medical Holdings, Inc. is the largest medical practice management and marketing company of its type in the United States. We provide access to a nationwide network of independent board-certified plastic surgeons, affordable financing programs, and personalized service from our Client Services Consultants. We connect medical professionals committed to delivering excellence with consumers seeking to enhance their physical appearance. Founded in 2001 and based in Alpharetta, Georgia, My Choice Medical currently works with hundreds of independent plastic surgery centers across the United States to provide superior, affordable, and high quality elective medical solutions for both the practitioner and the consumer alike. http://breastloan.com

Source
Marifer Rodriguez
ePR Specialist
http://www.newimage.com