Although breast implants have been linked to a rare lymphoma, it is unclear if breast implants cause lung cancer.

Can Breast Implants Cause Lung Cancer?

In 2001, The Guardian reported on a 12-year study that found women with breast implants were three times more likely to die from lung or brain cancer. The study analyzed outcomes of 13,500 women between 1989 and 2001.

The researchers cautioned that the study’s results “do not show that the implants cause disease – only that those women who have them are more likely to get brain or lung cancer.” Scientists at the time said they would investigate whether there could be other explanations, such as if women with breast implants were more likely to be smokers.

What About Other Types of Cancer?

Although there has not been much further notable evidence linking breast implants to lung cancer,  they have been linked to a rare form of lymphoma.

In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified the nexus between breast implants and cancer known as breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA -ALCL). Since then, the FDA has continued to gather research.

More recently, regulatory action on textured breast implants in other countries has resulted in pressure on the FDA to follow suit, however the agency has held firm in its position to continue to allow breast implants on the U.S. market. The agency says it needs more information before issuing regulatory actions like recalling or restricting their sale.

“We are still investigating the cause of the association and we will continue to monitor, assess and report our findings as we continue to strengthen our evidence collected so that women and providers can be better informed about BIA-ALCL as they consider breast implants,” the FDA said in a statement.

What is BIA-ALCL?

BIA-ALCL is a type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants, particularly implants with a textured surface. It’s important to note that BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer, but rather cancer of the immune system.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common symptoms of BIA-ALCL include unexplained breast enlargement, breast asymmetry, and fluid buildup or lumps in the breast or armpit. Hardening of the breast and a skin rash are also indications of the disease.

There have been no confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL cases with smooth breast implants. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it appears that over the course of years, BIA-ALCL patients experience  an allergic reaction to textured devices. There is currently no mechanism to test for who is at risk.

Because BIA-ALCL is typically limited to the scar capsule, it is much easier to treat than regular breast cancer. In some cases, the cancer will spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit, but BIA-ALCL is generally less threatening.

In most cases, radiation treatment is not necessary to treat early stage BIA-ALCL. However, treatment will vary and the best course of action will be determined by an individual’s physician.

What Breast Implants are Affected?

Many incidents of breast implant related cancer have involved textured breast implants made by Allergan. In addition to the risk that breast implants cause lung cancer or brain cancer, some types of implants may exponentially increase the risk of developing BIA-ALCL.

According to the FDA, 481 out of 573 reported cases of BIA-ALCL have involved Allergan Biocell implants. Women with these implants may be six times more likely to develop BIA-ALCL than women with a different brand of implants. Although Allergan pulled many of the company’s textured implants from the market due to cancer concerns, several of the affected women have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer.

Although the FDA has not recommended that women who have textured breast implants remove them unless they are showing symptoms of BIA-ALCL, many women are choosing to remove their recalled implants rather than take the risk of contracting cancer. As many women who have breast implants chose to be implanted with the medical devices following mastectomies and cancer treatments, the risk of developing cancer related to the implants may be especially painful.

According to one lawsuit filed against Allergan, the victims have suffered from pain, disfigurement, and emotional anguish related to their implants, as well as the financial burden of paying to have them removed. Although Allergan has offered to cover the cost of a pair of replacement implants for women who have the implants included in the recall, the company is not covering the cost to surgically remove and replace the old implants.

If you have breast implants and have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL or breast implant illness, you may be eligible to hire an experienced attorney to review your case.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.