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Breast Cancer/breast implants and cancer

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Expert: - 3/2/2008


Question
Hey Doc,
 Not sure if you've seen any of this but I really would like to get breast augmentation but I am scared because my Mom has had breast cancer. I have even heard that some doctors won't do the surgery on women with with a close family relation of breast cancer. Is that true? I mean, what happens to a woman who has implants and gets breast cancer. Wouldn't it be the same procedure as if she did not? What are all the differences? And what would the breast look like after the removal of an implant due to cancer?
Thank you so much for your time helping me...Carol

Answer
First of all, an implant does NOT increase your risk of breast cancer. It MAY make diagnosis somewhat more difficult but it will not destroy the possibility of detection or treatment. What it will look like depends on the tumor and the therapy it needs not primarily on the implant. If an implant is something you feel you need I think you should really consider getting one too but discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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