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Do Breast Implants Increase Cancer Risks?

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

Breast implants are one of the most common cosmetic procedures that women undergo, no matter what their age, race, or even social status. There have been a lot of concerns about cosmetic breast surgery over the years, from how they affect breastfeeding to the potential of cosmetic breast implants to obscure breast material on mammograms that could potentially prevent doctors from finding masses. Many doctors have performed studies to assess these risks and determine the outcomes of breast cancer among women who have breast implants.

There does seem to be an elevated risk of mortality in breast cancer among women who have cosmetic breast implants, according to one study.  Although the findings of the study should be viewed with caution,  it is difficult to determine exactly why there is a higher mortality, and whether breast implants are a direct cause of these higher rates.  One theory for the later detection of breast cancer and late stage tumors was that both silicone and saline implants create radio-opaque shadows on mammograms, which impair the visualization of breast tissue.  There is no evidence yet for women who are interested in receiving breast implants that they should forego the procedure. However, women who have or want breast implants will want to be cautious about speaking with their doctor regularly and scheduling mammograms at regular intervals—just as all women should do.

Part of any health care plan is being aware of what your limitations are, and figuring out ways to make up for those limitations. Women who have breast implants should be vigilant in receiving mammograms and breast sonograms after the age of 40.  For women with breast implants under the age of 40, breast self-examination is still recommended, even though a Canadian Task Force has fair evidence that breast self-examination has no benefit in women between 40 and 69  leading to more anxiety and more biopsies.  Never think, however, that there are no care options available for you, no matter what your situation is. The most important step in receiving the optimal care is taking charge of your own health.

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.