For many women, the pressure to achieve or maintain the “perfect” body may inspire them to go to extreme measures. Cosmetic surgery is on the rise nationwide — and breast augmentation reigned supreme in 2016, with 290,467 procedures performed that year. But while breast implants may improve a patient’s self-esteem in many cases, these procedures come with their hazards. Aside from the potential risks that accompany any surgery, certain implants have now been linked to major health risks. As a result, those implants have been recalled and many women have been left both scared and scarred — but some aren’t afraid to take action.
Even when they’re completely natural, breasts can be problematic for many women. While playing tennis can allow a woman to burn around 169 calories in half an hour, having a large chest can make it difficult for some women to participate in athletic activities without experiencing adverse symptoms. And although more than 50% of pregnant women experience low back pain, there are numerous women who suffer from back pain on a constant basis due to their breasts. Unfortunately, according to BreastCancer.org, one in eight women will also develop invasive breast cancer at some point.
Implants might be a viable option for women who want to achieve a certain look or restore a specific image after having mastectomies performed. But new safety concerns have revealed a possible link between textured breast implants and cancer.
Allergan, an Ireland-based implant maker, issued a global recall back in July after being urged to do so by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA reported an increased number of cancer cases and subsequent fatalities related to the company’s textured implants, which have a rough outer shell and are often used to create a more natural teardrop-shaped result for patients. Many of the patients turn to implants as part of the reconstruction process following breast cancer treatment — which makes it even more devastating to learn than these implants are connected to an increased risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (which attacks the immune system). In fact, the risk of developing breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is six times higher for patients with Allergan’s Biocell textured implants than with other types of textured breast implants.
The FDA noted that if Allergan continued to distribute these implants, the products would like cause “serious, adverse health consequences and potentially death from BIA-ALCL.” And while 84% of survey respondents say that most people require some amount of life insurance coverage, the women who have these implants aren’t ready to accept this fate.
Last month, six women sued Allergan, claiming that the company “buried” reports that these recalled implants were linked to this rare form of cancer in order to conceal safety concerns from the general public. The women also allege that Allergan failed in its duty to file safety reports in the FDA’s public database and instead registered reports as “alternative summary reports,” which reportedly delayed the discovery of these essential reports through an “intent to deceive,” according to a press statement from the consumer rights attorney representing the plaintiffs. The women want Allergan to fund a medical monitoring program that would be used to detect BIA-ALCL and other health conditions, though whether they’ll get their wish — or whether the potential class-action lawsuit will even make it to court — remains unseen.
Other women are refusing to take chances with their health. Doctors are recommending that patients with any type of textured implants engage in regular self-examinations and make appointments with their plastic surgeons at least once per year. Common symptoms associated with BIA-ALCL include swelling of the breast, breast or armpit lumps, breast hardening, skin rashes, and breast-related pain. The FDA is pushing for warnings on all breast implants, with proposed labeling changes including more in-depth information on possible health risks, so that patients can make more informed decisions. Reportedly, many women are facing difficulties gaining proper diagnoses, even with the recalls in place, which makes it even more important for patients to have access to all pertinent information.
At present, however, the FDA is recommending that patients with textured implants have them removed only if they’re experiencing adverse symptoms. While Allergan’s textured implants come with a much higher risk of BIA-ALCL, this cancer is still quite rare and is highly treatable if detected in time. That said, patients who are worried about their risk should discuss their options with their health care providers to decide on the best steps for their specific situations.
