Textured Breast Implants & Lymphoma: What You Need to Know
There has been some recent news about the connection between breast implants, specifically textured breast implants, and developing lymphoma. Any time something as serious as cancer is mentioned, it’s understandable for patients to be concerned. As a board-certified plastic surgeon for over 30 years, I have always felt that making prospective patients feel as informed as possible about cosmetic surgery and the potential risks of their respective procedure is an essential part of my duties. That’s why I wanted to take some time to set the record straight on this particular subject.
In 2011, officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that there was a possible connection between textured breast implants and a rare form of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). FDA statistics indicated that of the millions of patients that have undergone breast augmentation surgery since the discovery of BIA-ALCL in 2011, at least 457 people have developed the disease and nine have died.
However, a joint statement released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) indicates that this worry may have been premature. A recent update from the FDA (in association with the World Health Organization) states that since BI-ALCL is a lymphoma, a cancer of immune cells, it is not a breast cancer or a cancer of the breast tissue. The overall takeaway from the FDA was that women with breast implants should not fear their implants impairing their health or causing breast cancer.
It’s important to remember that this news, and having breast implants in general, is not an excuse for women to forego their normal breast cancer precautions including annual screening appointments and regular self-exams. Be aware of any abnormal happenings in the breast area including swelling, irregular growths, fluid collection, or unexpected changes in breast shape and contact your plastic surgeon if you experience anything out of the ordinary.
Knowledge is a powerful tool for any prospective cosmetic surgery patient when it comes to having the best-possible plastic surgery experience. Hopefully reading this helped ease any potential concerns about this issue and reinforced the fact that when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, breast augmentation is still a very safe procedure. For more information on this topic or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, at Atlanta Plastic Surgery. And follow me on Facebook and Twitter for even more breast cancer news, tips, and videos.