If you find a breast lump on a self exam I recommend that you consult your primary care physician.  Your primary care physician will perform a breast exam and possibly have you get a mammogram.

For women that have had a breast augmentation, the mammogram will have 2 additional diagonally oriented views to help diagnose breast cancer that may be partly obscured by the implants.  If an abnormality is found there may be a need for an ultrasound of the breast for further evaluation or for assistance with biopsy. If a lesion continues to appear suspicious on these exams there may be a biopsy performed to get a definitive diagnosis.

  In addition, your physician may order an MRI or PET scan to evaluate the breast and lymph nodes in even more detail.  At this point if you are diagnosed with breast cancer you will likely be referred to a surgical oncologist or general surgeon for further treatment.  At that point, a plastic surgeon may become involved in your care depending on your needs and desires for further treatment.  We will discuss those options next.