Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, and it is a potentially fatal disease. Fortunately, breast cancer awareness and treatment has helped to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths in recent years. Early detection and better, more personalized treatment can make all the difference.

Do Breast Implants Reduce Cancer Risk?

There is some speculation on the possibility that breast implants reduce cancer risk. Indeed, some studies have shown a lower incidence of breast cancer in women who have gotten breast implants.

However, these statistics may stem more from the factors that led these women to get breast implants in the first place rather than the addition of the implants themselves. It is unclear whether or not breast implants reduce cancer risk, but certain types of breast implants have been linked with some serious health risks.

Can Breast Implants Cause Any Complications?

While breast implants have been at least somewhat associated with a lower rate of breast cancer in recent studies, they have also been associated with an increased risk of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA ALCL).

BIA ALCL is a specific type of lymphoma cancer associated with breast implants. While BIA ALCL is typically curable, it is important to know symptoms to catch and treat early on, especially as some people have died from this disease. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the implant, as well as to remove the affected scar tissue around the implant. Sometimes, patients also require additional chemotherapy treatment and/or radiation therapy.

The implants most associated with BIA-ALCL are textured implants. According to breastcancer.org, BIA ALCL “seems to only develop in women who have implants with a textured surface (shell) or had them in the past.” Hundreds of cases of BIA ALCL have been diagnosed thus far.

What is BIA ALCL?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Breast Implant-Associated Large Cell Lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (or cancer of the immune system). BIA ALCL is not a breast cancer, as it is typically found in scar tissue and fluid surrounding the breast implants, not in the breast itself, but in some cases can actually spread and affect other areas of the body.

The FDA has been aware of a possible association between breast implants and the development of ALCL since 2011. In the last near-decade, the FDA has been collecting information on instances of BIA ALCL to help determine the risk.

As of July 2019, the FDA had reported 573 women diagnosed with BIA ALCL, including 33 women across the world who had died from the disease. Of the 573 cases, 481 had been attributed to textured implants from the manufacturer Allergan. So far, no reports of BIA ALCL in women with only smooth implants have been confirmed.

How Do I Avoid BIA ALCL Risk?

Not much is currently known about the risk of BIA ALCL—very little information is available about patients who have received breast implants across the United States and the globe.

The FDA warned patients with breast implants to be on the lookout for symptoms including swelling, lumps, or pain in the area of the implants, and in general to be aware of the possible risk.

“Though the number of identified cases of BIA-ALCL is small compared to the estimated 1.5 million patients who receive breast implants worldwide every year, confirmed data and published information reviewed to date suggests that patients with breast implants have an increased risk of BIA-ALCL,” said the FDA in a breast implant safety announcement. That said, many breast implants are still on the market despite the warning.

The FDA did request that Allergan initiate a recall of certain specific models of its textured breast implants due to BIA ALCL risk, after which Allergan voluntarily issued a recall.

While the FDA has not recommended that patients without symptoms undergo removal, due to potential risks, the federal agency is “committed to continuing to share updates with patients about this issue,” said Jeff Suren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

“We will continually evaluate any new information and may, as a result, take action regarding other breast implants, if warranted. In addition, we are continuing our assessment to determine whether the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is limited to specific models of textured, or all textured breast implants. We continue to advise women and health care professionals that the use of breast implants is associated with a risk of developing BIA-ALCL and that the risk is greater with textured implants,” Suren said.

Should I File a Breast Implant Lawsuit?

A growing number of patients are, in direct contradiction to the idea that breast implants reduce cancer risk, reporting being diagnosed with Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

If you have developed a breast implant-related illness, especially BIA ALCL, after getting textured breast implants, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit investigation.

While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by BIA ALCL, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Pursuing litigation may seem overwhelming and complicated, especially in an emotionally difficult time like after a significant diagnosis, but Top Class Actions will connect you with an experienced medical device attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate litigation, and maximize your compensation.

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