Maarten Vasbinder lives in Isaan. His profession is general practitioner, a profession that he mainly practiced in Spain. On Thailandblog he answers questions from readers who live in Thailand and writes about medical facts.
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Dear Martin,
My wife has had breast implants for 20 years, the doctor in Thailand advised to have them replaced due to age. She is now unsure what to do, what do you think of the advice of the doctor?
An examination was also made for nodules, nothing was found. A mammography is not possible according to the GP, that could cause or stimulate breast cancer and is also not possible because of breast implants, there would be no further research method.
What would your advice be to be able to investigate further?
Regards,
B.
*****
Dear B,
Both an ultrasound and an MRI can be used in this case. The books are not yet closed on the MRI. A mammogram is often of no use because you cannot see what is behind the implants. However, it often succeeds, with additional ultrasound showing the rest.
There are two types of implants: silicone and saline (salt water).
It is true that you can get breast cancer from mammography, but that is especially true if you have it done every year and even then the chance is not that great. An experienced radiologist knows exactly what to do. There is a very small risk of the implants rupturing during a mammogram. Here's some literature: www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/
If the grafts don't bother your wife, I'd leave them alone. A lift is often also possible, if her breasts have dropped a bit. It is also much less drastic.
Yours faithfully,
Maarten