Breast Cancer And Implants

There have been recent reports regarding an increased rate of breast cancer in women who have had breast implants. This cancer is called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Since finding a possible link in 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified 359 women with the disease. Most cases have involved textured breast implants. Textured implants have a rough, irregular surface that makes them less likely to move around inside the breast. In the U.S., textured breast implants make up about 13 percent of the market.

The risk of developing ALCL of the breast is 67 times higher for a person who receives a textured breast implant compared to the general population. But, keep in mind that it is extremely rare, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 30,000 for women with breast implants.

If you have a textured breast implant there is no need to change your routine medical care and follow-up, the FDA says.

The majority of women who develop this disease will have a sudden enlargement or swelling of the breast. About 40 percent will feel a mass or lump.

The treatment for most patients is surgery and usually chemotherapy.