The short answer: Yes. Women with saline or silicone implants can and should get screening mammograms on the same schedule as other women. The exam adds extra pictures called implant displacement views, so it takes a little longer. Tell the facility about your implants when you book, and remember that silicone implants also need separate rupture checks with ultrasound or MRI.
Should women with implants still get screened?
Yes. Implants do not remove the need for breast cancer screening. A literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery concluded that women with augmentation are not at greater risk of breast cancer than women without implants. The same review found that screening recommendations are no different for women with implants.
So the usual age rules apply. If you are not sure when to start or how often to go, see our guide on when to get your first mammogram. The FDA's labeling guidance also states that implant rupture imaging does not replace screening mammography for breast cancer.
What are implant displacement views?
A standard screening mammogram takes 2 pictures of each breast. According to the American Cancer Society, women with implants get 4 extra pictures (2 on each breast) in addition to the 4 standard ones. That makes 8 images in total.
The extra pictures are called implant displacement (ID) views. Many radiologists also call them Eklund views, after the radiologist who described the method. During an ID view, the technologist pushes the implant back against the chest wall. Then the breast tissue is pulled forward over the implant and compressed.
The technique goes back to a 1988 paper in the American Journal of Roentgenology. Eklund and colleagues reported that displacing the implant gave better compression and showed substantially more breast tissue. They studied over 250 patients with augmentation implants using the method.
Both sets of pictures matter. A 2022 study of 360 women with implants found that some abnormal findings showed up on only one type of view. The authors concluded that all views are necessary.
Do implants hide breast tissue on a mammogram?
Partly. Implants block X-rays. The American Cancer Society notes that both silicone and saline implants make it hard to see the breast tissue in line with them. The FDA's patient labeling guidance says implants can interfere with mammography and breast exams, which could delay a cancer diagnosis.
Where the implant sits makes a difference:
- Under the chest muscle (submuscular): RadiologyInfo, run by the American College of Radiology and RSNA, says these implants block less of the view. ID views are also easier to do.
- Over the muscle (subglandular): The implant sits directly behind the breast tissue, so more of the tissue can be hidden.
- Scar tissue (capsular contracture): The ACS says ID views are harder and can be uncomfortable when hard scar tissue has formed around the implant.
Because some tissue stays hidden, a callback for extra imaging is possible. Ultrasound can help here. In one older study of augmented patients with a lump, ultrasound characterized the finding in all 26 cases, while mammography gave a clear diagnosis in 7. If you do get called back, our callback guide explains the next steps.
Can a mammogram rupture an implant?
It can, but it is uncommon. The American Cancer Society says the mammogram process can rupture an implant very rarely. The FDA lists compression during a mammogram among the possible causes of rupture.
Technologists lower this risk with careful positioning. RadiologyInfo says experienced technologists and radiologists know how to compress the breasts to improve the view without rupturing the implant. That skill is one reason to use a facility that images women with implants often.
A few practical steps help:
- Tell the technologist right away if pressure feels sharp or wrong.
- Mention any recent surgery, pain, or a change in the shape of an implant.
- Ask the technologist to explain each step before compression starts.
What should you tell the facility when booking?
The FDA advises that you inform the mammography facility that you have breast implants when you make the appointment. Ask what to expect. The ACS gives the same advice and adds that you should tell the technologist again before imaging starts.
Useful details to share:
- That you have implants, and whether they are saline or silicone.
- Whether they sit above or below the chest muscle.
- Whether they were placed for augmentation or reconstruction.
- The year of surgery and any known rupture, leak, or scar tissue.
- Any lump, swelling, or pain, since that may call for a diagnostic exam instead of a screening one.
The FDA recommends that implant makers give patients a device card with details on each implant. Bring it if you have it. If you have a new symptom, read about the difference between screening and diagnostic mammograms before you book.
Do silicone implants need MRI or ultrasound too?
Yes, for a different reason. Mammograms look for cancer. Separate imaging looks for silent rupture, which means a silicone implant leak with no symptoms. The FDA says a silent rupture may not be found by physical exam alone.
In its September 2020 labeling guidance, the FDA updated the schedule. For silicone implants with no symptoms, the first ultrasound or MRI should be at 5 to 6 years after surgery. After that, imaging should repeat every 2 to 3 years. This replaced the older advice of MRI at 3 years and every 2 years after.
Key points from the FDA guidance:
- MRI or ultrasound: The FDA calls MRI the most effective method for silent rupture. Ultrasound is an acceptable alternative for people without symptoms.
- Symptoms: If you have symptoms or an unclear ultrasound result at any time, an MRI is recommended.
- Saline implants: These have no rupture screening schedule, because a saline rupture is usually easy to see as the breast deflates.
- Cost: The FDA labeling notes these scans may be costly and may not be covered by insurance.
A rupture MRI is not the same as a breast MRI for cancer screening in high-risk women. To learn more about that exam, see mri.md.
One rare condition is also worth knowing. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a lymphoma, not breast cancer. The FDA says it is more common with textured implants and often appears years after surgery. Warning signs include persistent swelling, a mass, or pain near the implant. Report these symptoms promptly rather than waiting for your next screening.
The bottom line
Implants are not a reason to skip mammograms. Expect 8 pictures instead of 4, with implant displacement views to show more tissue. Rupture from compression is rare, and a skilled technologist lowers the risk further. Tell the facility about your implants when you book. If your implants are silicone, keep a separate schedule for ultrasound or MRI rupture checks, starting 5 to 6 years after surgery.
Last updated: September 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Talk with your doctor, surgeon, or breast imaging team about the screening plan that fits your implants and your risk.