What is the impact of breast augmentation on the Breast Screening Programme?

Aims: To identify the number of women with breast implants in the Newcastle Breast Screening Programme, it's additional workload and compare the number of screen detected cancers in the implant and non-implant group.

Methods: Retrospective 9 year review of all women with cosmetic breast augmentation who have joined the National Breast Screening Programme in Newcastle.

Results: The percentage of total screened attendances involving implants has increased from 61 (0.10%) in 1990-93 to 97 (0.14%) in 1993-96 and 135 (0.23%) in 1996-99. Despite this increasing workload, no additional resources have yet been required in the Breast Screening Unit.1209 cancers (0.57%) were found in the screened population, and there were no screen detected cancers in the implant group, and there was no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusions: As the number of younger women receiving breast implants continues to rise, when they become eligible for the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), departments should be aware that additional personnel and finance will be needed.