Prior to undergoing augmentation mammoplasty, it is important that you discuss with your surgeon your family history of breast cancer. One out of nine women will contract breast cancer over the course of their lives. The most important step that an individual can take in avoiding the serious consequences of breast cancer is to ensure early detection of the cancer. This is best accomplished by self-examination and not mammography.
Breast self-examination, which should be done five to seven days after one's menstrual period and only once a month, will accomplish two things. First, it helps a woman understand her own breast architecture so that when a change occurs, she will be able to recognize it immediately. Second, knowing ones breast architecture, a new mass can be quickly identified and evaluated medically. If it does turn out to be a breast cancer, then it will be detected much earlier, which leads to a much greater survival rate.
Finding breast tumors when they are smaller than 1 cm by self-examination is very important in the survival of an individual. Once a mass is found, then, if deemed appropriate, further studies can be done. Typically a mammogram will be obtained. Traditional mammography has not been completely adequate in examining a breast with an implant. The Eckuland procedure was developed to better evaluate a breast with a concerning mass. This is also known as compression mammography. Despite this improved technique, it is impossible to completely visualize all of the breast tissue in an augmented individual.
Visualization is better with saline implants as opposed to silicone implants. There are adjunctive techniques, which can be used to evaluate the breasts, such as ultrasound or MRI, but these can be expensive. Nevertheless, they are available and effective. It should be noted that breast augmentation surgery is not associated with breast cancer and that implants do not cause breast cancer. In fact, some studies suggest that there is a decreased incidence of breast cancer in augmented women less than 40 years of age.
Still, the most important thing that an individual can do is a regular once-a-month self-examination of her breasts. If there is a strong family history of breast cancer, the patient may want to avoid augmentation mammoplasty. For those undergoing augmentation mammoplasty over the age of 30, it is recommended that they get a preoperative mammogram. Post-operatively; they are to undergo regular screening mammograms as recommended by the American Cancer Society. The Eckuland procedure is mandatory.
Author Resource:
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com offers information on plastic surgery in Utah and plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, and breast implants.
http://croftsmd.com
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