13. TISSUE ATROPHY/CHEST WALL DEFORMITY
Pressure of the breast implant may cause the breast tissue to thin and shrink. This can occur while implants are still in place or following implant removal without replacement
14. INTERFERENCE WITH MAMMOGRAPHY
Interference with mammography due to breast implants may delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer either by hiding suspicious wounds, injuries, or tumors or by making it more difficult to include them in the image. Implants increase the difficulty of both taking and reading mammograms. Women who undergo reconstruction and have some breast tissue remaining must continue to have mammography of that breast, as well as of the other breast, to detect breast cancer. Mammography requires breast compression (hard pressure) that could contribute to implant rupture. When making appointments, women with implants should tell the scheduler that they have breast implants. Before mammography, women should also tell the radiologic technologist about their implants. The technologist will then take extra care during compression to reduce the risk of implant rupture. The technologist will also use the special displacement views to see as much as possible of the breast tissue.