Do Silicone Breast Implants Raise The Risk Of Breast Cancer?

1 in 24 females suffer from breast cancer in India. In urban areas it remains a major cause of concern amongst females. But does getting Breast Implant increase the risk of breast Cancer?

Let’s get it into finer details

Breast Implants

Breast implants are silicone based implants that are used to augment the size of breast. These come in different textures and size. Silicone implants can be Smooth or Textured implants.

Important Facts

It is important to be aware that, despite numerous studies, no connection has been identified between breast augmentation and breast cancer.

The implant is not placed within the breast but rather behind the breast or even behind the muscle on the chest wall.

Studies have shown that women who have breast augmentation are less likely to develop breast cancer than those who do not with perhaps earlier detection.

Can breast cancer be detected after getting Breast Implants?

Breast cancer can still be detected in the augmented breast and routine clinical or physical examination will not be hindered by the presence of a breast implant.

Any lump in the breast gland is probably made more prominent by the breast implant and easier to feel as you have a regular surface to feel against compared with the irregular rib cage.

Mammograms are still possible although a proportion of the breast gland may be camouflaged by the breast implant. Extra views of the breast can be taken to minimise this problem or an ultrasound study of the breast is an excellent alternative. It is imperative that breast study be performed by radiology departments experienced in breast imaging.

With older style silicone gel implants where rupture has occurred, hard scar tissue develops around the free gel in the breast tissue. In this case the lumps palpable in the breasts may be mistaken for breast cancer. However, radiological studies and occasionally biopsy may be necessary to distinguish the true nature of the lumps. These lumps are in no way associated with breast cancer.

But can breast implant cause Cancer?

Silicone breast implants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

But, there are some associations between breast implants and other cancers, such as:

– Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma /blood cancer which forms in the scar tissue around breast implants. Incidence also is still very low and it’s mostly associated with Textured breast Implants.

What to do after getting Breast Implants?

Breast augmentation with implants is a very satisfying procedure.

Self breast examinations every month, once in an year mammogram/ultrasound of breast followed by examination by plastic surgeon is must