- Reference Number: HEY1553/2024
- Departments: Breast Services
- Last Updated: 31 August 2024
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about having mammogram when you have breast implants. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your mammographer but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.
What will happen during my mammogram?
As you have breast implants the way that we will carry out your mammogram is slightly different to a standard mammogram.
You are able to stop the mammogram at any time if you decide you no longer wish to have it done. There is a very small chance that the compression may damage the implant.
We will take great care and use minimal compression to hold your breast still while we take your x-rays, however a small amount of compression is needed to hold your breast still.
It may not be possible to see as much of the breast tissue as we would in a standard mammogram.
To be able to see as much breast tissue as possible we would like to take one additional x-ray of each breast. The radiographer will compress the breast tissue in front of the implant so that small breast changes can be more easily identified. If this isn’t possible, we will explain why and carry out an extra sideways x-ray instead.
If you are concerned that your implant may be ruptured before your mammogram then please tell us. We may need to postpone your appointment while further investigations of your implant are carried out. This may mean you need to be referred to the breast clinic or to your surgeon, via your GP.
If you have previously been told that you have a ruptured implant, then we are able to perform your mammogram as long as your GP or surgeon has advised you that it is safe for you to have this done.
If you need any more information
Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to ask the radiographer performing your mammogram or contact the Humberside Breast Screening Service on tel: 01482 622300.
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.
