Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis took a look at women’s knowledge of a potential breast implant illness. The new study showed that not many women were aware that breast implants may be linked to a certain kind of lymphoma. The new study was published in July, in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Both women with implants and those without were included in the study. 500 women were surveyed, and around 1 in 7 total reported that they had heard of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of lymphoma that has been the cause of some concern in the medical community and the public at large.

US News digs into the results from the study, explaining that about 12% of women who took the survey had implants. Of these women, just over 50% had some knowledge of the possible breast implant illness. In the case of all survey respondents, those who were familiar with the condition had heard of it largely through health blogs and other media sources, says US News.

The researchers at Washington University in St. Louis provided the survey participants about BIA-ALCL and its possible relationship to breast implants, and then asked them if this information affected their interest in implants, or their concern about the condition. 

Reportedly, 58% of women were still willing to get a breast implant for reconstructive purposes, while only 46% were still willing to get implants for cosmetic purposes after learning about BIA-ALCL. 36% of the women surveyed said that the information about BIA-ALCL made them less likely to want to get implants.

Of the women who already had breast implants, 35% said that in light of the new information about the disease, they were “strongly considering,” having their implants removed, while around 66% of survey respondents with implants said that BIA-ALCL cased them “some degree of concern” over implants and their potential risks.

Lead researcher Dr. Justin Sacks, Washington University in St. Louis’ chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery, contextualized the value of the study. He hopes that the study “can help surgeons navigate the risks of BIA-ALCL with current and prospective patients and can guide future public education efforts on BIA-ALCL.”

Reportedly, the possible breast implant illness BIA-ALCL is more common in women with textured breast implants than smooth ones, a phenomenon which has led to some health agencies around the world to limit or ban the sale of textured breast implants. 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons explains that BIA-ALCL is not a breast cancer, but instead is an immune system cancer. Though the society describes the cancer as “rare and highly treatable,” CBC reports that instances of the possible breast implant illness may be increasing.

According to the news source, Health Canada has received twice the number of reports of the condition since may 28, 2019 since before that date. This led Canada to ban the import of sale of one brand of textured breast implants — Biocell macrotextured breast implants made  by Allergan — after reports that patients with these implants were more likely to develop BIA-ALCL.

CBC explains that Dr. Mark Clemens, an associate of plastic surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and former Allergan consultant said that the problem of BIA-ALCL called for a new description.

He said that BIA-ALCL is commonly referred to as a “usually rare” or “extremely rare” cancer. However, new information has led him to change his tune. He expressed, “Instead, I think that we need to start referring to this as uncommon and an emerging malignancy” in the interest of better expressing the possible risks.

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