Forum Discussion
Metal staples in breast
In June 2017 I was diagnosed with right side breast cancer at the time I had a lumpectomy and 15 doses of radiation
for the past 5 years I have a mammogram and a ultrasound done I was told everything was fine and no problem
Yesterday I went to the clinic to have the two tests done when I was having my mammogram the technician told me I had 4 metal staples in my breast 3 in a row 1 below further down in the breast I had no idea they were there I saw the images
I have had MRIS done at the time I was asked if I had metal on my body I said no fortunately ,no damage done
I will be seeing my GP next week I will be asking questions
Any advice or feedback
Regards Stork
for the past 5 years I have a mammogram and a ultrasound done I was told everything was fine and no problem
Yesterday I went to the clinic to have the two tests done when I was having my mammogram the technician told me I had 4 metal staples in my breast 3 in a row 1 below further down in the breast I had no idea they were there I saw the images
I have had MRIS done at the time I was asked if I had metal on my body I said no fortunately ,no damage done
I will be seeing my GP next week I will be asking questions
Any advice or feedback
Regards Stork
14 Replies
- Thank you for replies and words of wisdom
It was a bit disconcerting to find out 5 years after the event
Regards Stork - Hi there @HappySoul...thanks for your input on this topic. For me, it was not that I was worried or concerned that they had been used, so much as it wasn't mentioned to me that they had. I'm always asked before MRI tests if I have any metal in or on my body such as dental metalwork, body piercings and so on. Even although I know these clips are titanium, and therefor non ferrous, I always mention them (since I knew of them), as I'm aware that they can show as 'artifacts' on various diagnostic tests. I also mention my port (had it since 2016), even although I know it has no metal parts, for the same reason.
- These are fine metal clips that are applied to the ends of blood vessels to stop them bleeding, they are used often in breast surgery (I am a perioperative Registered Nurse & have seen this first hand). They are very thin so not usually something they ever keep track of. They are used in many types of surgeries.
- I didn’t know I had clips from reconstruction until I had a back X-ray. The report said I had multiple surgical clips from open heart surgery. My GP had a laugh about that!
- Yeah, I've got 'em too .... the MGs show them clearly xx
- Thank you for your replies they were very helpful
When I had my back surgery my surgeon told me I was going to have metal implants in my spine
I find is to be perplexing finding out 5 years after my breast surgery to have metal implants
Regards Stork - @June1952...Go for it...share and share alike...
- @AllyJay - can I please use your "Chopologist" ? I say "The Boob Butcher" but yours sounds so much more official.
- I think we are supposed to be grateful to them for saving our lives so a few bits of metal left behind should not bother us !!
People skills are not required in the operating theatre and after that they don't even recognise us as women, just a scar job.
My elderly Mum used to say that girls are "just a piece of meat to them so you need not worry about seeing a doctor for female issues". Gee, she was so spot-on, eh ? 😀 (That was all those years ago when I was heading off for my first pap smear). - Hi there @jennyss LOL emoji is totally fine.... My surgeon...(I call her my Chopologist) is definitely not in line for any awards for people skills. She didn't seem to get it that this was something in my body...forever, and that mayhap...perchance...patients might like to be informed if bits and pieces of metal have been left behind.
