Breast Self-Examination for Women with Implants What is the proper way of examining my breasts? Like all women, those with breast implants should perform regular breast self-examinations and have regular examinations by their health care provider trained in breast examination. For women with breast implants, these examinations take on added importance because they can help to reveal complications that might be due to the implants. Women with implants should examine their breasts each month so they can detect changes. For women who menstruate, the best time to examine the breasts is two or three days after the menstrual period ends, when the breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. Women who no longer menstruate should examine their breasts at the same time each month. To examine your breasts, first stand in front of a mirror and look for anything unusual, such as changes in the shape or appearance of your breasts or nipples. Then lie down on your back to allow for a better examination of tissue which flattens and spreads out for deeper palpation. With your right arm raised above your head, use the flat surface of your fingertips of your left hand to feel your right breast. Move your fingers in one of three ways: in a circular motion in a clockwise fashion; in strips (like mowing the lawn); or in a radiant pattern. Feel around the breast to feel for any unusual lump, swelling, or mass under the skin of your right breast. You should also feel for any swelling of glands or lumps in your armpit. Follow the same procedure for the left breast, (using the right hand to examine the left breast, with the left hand raised above the head). Pay particular attention to changes in the firmness, size, or shape of your breasts. Be attentive to pain, tenderness, or color changes in the breast area, or any discharge or unusual sensation around the nipple. Any of these changes should be reported promptly to a physician, as should any other concerns about your breasts. Do I need to get regular mammograms? Women with breast implants who are in an age group where routine mammograms are recommended should be sure to have these examinations at the recommended intervals. (Those who have had breast cancer surgery on both breasts should ask their doctors whether mammograms are still necessary.) But women should be aware that breast implants may interfere with the detection of cancer and that mammograms do not detect implant ruptures or leakage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been approved by FDA for detecting rupture or leakage of an implant. FDA has not been presented with data showing the effectiveness of other methods, such as ultrasound or computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, when used to detect rupture or leakage. You should discuss the best method of detection of rupture or leakage with your doctor. Source: US Food and Drug Administration, revised/posted 9/8/99.