The family of a three-time cancer survivor believes it is unlikely she will survive a type of cancer known as BIA-ALCL caused by Allergan’s Biocell breast implants.

Three-Time Cancer Survivor Develops Breast Implant Related Cancer

Robbie H. received her Allergan Biocell breast implants in 2008 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy as part of her treatment. However, in 2017 she was diagnosed with another type of breast cancer, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL.

After her initial breast reconstruction surgery in 2008, Robbie was cancer free. However, women with breast implants need to have these devices replaced approximately every 10 years due to degradation and the possibility of leaks or ruptures. When Robbie had surgery to replace her implants several years later, she received a new set of Allergan implants.

Soon after receiving the new implants, Robbie began to experience pain in her breasts and broke out in a red rash across her body. In 2017, her oncologist ran scans and performed a breast biopsy to determine if her cancer had returned. Although this initial testing was negative, several months later Robbie was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL due to her Allergan Biocell implants.

Robbie’s diagnosis of BIA-ALCL was her third cancer diagnosis, but would not be her last. Following Robbie’s diagnosis, she began cancer treatment an hour away from her home. After several weeks of chemotherapy, she was found to be cancer free. However, three months later the cancer returned, and this time it spread to other parts of Robbie’s body. In order to combat the cancer, Robbie chose to undergo chemotherapy again, as well as having her Allergan implants removed. After her breast implant removal surgery, she decided against having new implants put in.

However, in early 2019, Robbie was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. Her breast cancer had returned, and this time, her family believes that she will not survive the condition. According to Robbie’s daughter, she “is in her fight that she won’t win with cancer.”

Allergan Voluntarily Recalled Breast Implants in 2019

In 2011, the FDA officially linked Allergan’s Biocell breast implants with an increased risk of developing BIA-ALCL. In July 2019, Allergan voluntarily recalled the Biocell breast implants from the market at the request of the FDA. In August, Robbie and countless other women received a letter in the mail from Allergan, confirming that they had been implanted with the recalled breast implants. Although Allergan has offered to pay for replacement implants for anyone who has the recalled breast implants, the company will not pay for women to have these implants removed.

Recalled Breast Implants Linked to Cancer and Deaths

As of late 2018, the FDA had received at least 457 reports of BIA-ALCL, including reports of nine deaths that may have been due to the implants and cancer. Due to Allergan’s failure to pay for the costs of having the recalled breast implants removed, as well as the company’s failure to warn women of the dangers of the implants, several women have filed lawsuits against the company.

If you have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL after being implanted with Allergan Biocell breast implants, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Allergan regarding the recalled breast implants. Victims may be able to collect compensation for medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering.

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