Can breast implants hinder breast cancer survival?

Cosmetic breast augmentation is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the USA [101]. Although cosmetic breast implants are popular, these devices still raise some concerns because they are radiopaque at mammography, which can impair the visualization of breast tissue [1]. Consequently, the ability to detect breast cancer at an early stage may be affected by the presence of breast implants, which may subsequently affect breast cancer survival. One in eight US women will be diagnosed as having breast cancer at some time in their lives [2]. Thus, it is reasonable to say that a number of women with cosmetic breast implants will go on to develop breast cancer. Therefore, it is important that women considering breast augmentation surgery, and those who already have cosmetic breast implants, are informed of the issues related to the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer when using these devices.

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