Perhaps the most significant concern over breast implants is the possibility of delayed detection of breast cancer with silicone and saline filled breast implants. Both of these are radiopaque, meaning the implants obstruct the breast tissue viewing to varying degrees on mammogram. Mammography techniques however have improved over the last few years enabling the radiographer to minimise the amount of breast that is hidden by the implant. It is important however to realise that 10-20% of breast cancers is invisible to x-ray, and therefore most breast cancers are still being discovered by self or physical examinations. In this respect, interestingly enough, some clinicians feel that the implant can actually increase the ease of palpation. Furthermore many clinicians also request other types of scans, i.e. ultrasound and magnetic resonance scans (MRI) in addition to mammograms where appropriate to further visualise the breast tissue. A woman whose had this cosmetic surgery should be on the same schedule of routine mammography as all other women. The radiographer should be informed that she has implants and therefore special displacement (Eklund) views will be required for proper radiological evaluation. Depending on your age you may be required to have a mammogram prior to surgery. This again will be advised at the initial consultation. In conclusion, implants make the job of the radiologist more difficult but they do not prevent him from carrying it out.