After mastectomy, mammograms are not usually necessary for the reconstructed breast, but you will be invited to have regular mammograms on the other breast. If you have had partial breast reconstruction or a mini-flap, these do not interfere with x-rays and may make the breast tissue easier to check on x-rays.

If you are ever worried that your cancer has come back in the reconstructed breast, an examination by your surgeon, MRI scan, ultrasound or biopsy can diagnose any abnormalities.

Silicone or saline implants hide part of the breast during mammography, but experts believe that any cancer around an implant is still simple to detect using ultrasound. Your doctor can advise on how any possible recurrence of cancer will be found.