What If?
What if I have breast implants?
Women over 40 with breast implants are eligible to have a breastscreen at a BreastScreen Queensland Service. Before you have your breastscreen you will be asked to sign an additional consent form. You should note though that breast implants will obscure some of the breast tissue, making it more difficult to detect small breast cancers.
BreastScreen Queensland radiographers are specially trained to take a high quality breastscreen when breast implants are present. Breast cancer screening is generally safe for women with implants. There is a very slight chance of damage to the implant but this is rare. More information about breast cancer screening and breast implants can found in the Breast Cancer Screening and Breast Implants information sheet.
What if I'm breastfeeding?
Women who are breastfeeding are eligible to participate in the BreastScreen Queensland Program and have a breastscreen, but it is the woman's decision as to whether she wishes to have a breastscreen at this time. The decision must be made in consideration of the following:
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breast cancer screening on lactating breasts is less effective because the breasts are much more dense with stored milk. On a breastscreen, dense breast tissue shows up as a solid white area making small cancers, which also show up white, almost impossible to see.
What if I think I may be pregnant?
Women who may be pregnant are eligible to participate in the BreastScreen Queensland Program and have a breastscreen, but it is the woman's decision as to whether she wishes to have a breastscreen at this time. The woman's decision must be made in consideration of the risks of mammography during pregnancy and the risks to her own health in delaying her breastscreen.
What if I am pregnant?
Women who are pregnant are eligible to participate in the BreastScreen Queensland Program and have a breastscreen, but it is the woman's decision as to whether she wishes to have a breastscreen at this time. The woman's decision must be made in consideration of:
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the risks of mammography during pregnancy and the risks to her own health in delaying her breastscreen
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breasts may be extremely dense from early in the pregnancy. On a breastscreen, dense breast tissue shows up as a solid white area making small cancers, which also show up white, almost impossible to see.
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breasts will be more sensitive and firmer(3 ).
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant and are due for your breastscreen, please contact the nurse counsellor at your local service.
What if I've noticed a sign or symptom?
The Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program is directed at asymptomatic women, that is, women without signs or symptoms of breast cancer. Women who report a breast sign or symptom at the time of booking an appointment or upon presenting to a BreastScreen Queensland Service will be transferred to a nurse counsellor or medical officer to determine whether an appointment with their doctor is more appropriate.
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