Text Us Text to Contact Us
Schedule a Consultation
Sieber Plastic Surgery San Francisco

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

DO BREAST IMPLANTS CAUSE CANCER

Patients frequently show up at their breast augmentation consultation appointments and end up asking the question, “Do breast implants cause breast cancer”? 

Unfortunately, the answer is quite complicated. 

In short, it’s possible, but rare. The longer answer is not nearly as simple. So, let’s dive in. 

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Although breast implants have been around since 1961, it wasn’t until 1997 that a woman was found to have developed a rare lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) related to her breast implants. Today, this lymphoma is called breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Reports in recent media of breast implants causing breast cancer are referring to BIA-ALCL, which is not related to primary breast cancer. It’s very important that patients understand the difference between BIA-ALCL and breast cancer as they are two totally different diseases with very different prognoses and treatment options.

How BIA-ALCL Differs From Breast Cancer

Do Breast Implants Cause Breast CancerThere are several factors which make these two types of cancers very different. The most important factor is that because BIA-ALCL is a lymphoma, it is a disease originating from the immune cells in the body and not from the breast tissue.

To date, there have been a little over 300 reported cases of BIA-ALCL worldwide. That’s in over 50,000,000 women with breast implants. 

Furthermore, these women all have one thing in common: They all had breast augmentations with textured silicone breast implants. As far as we know, there has never been a case of BIA-ALCL in a woman who had smooth breast implants.

Do Silicone Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

It’s not silicone implants that are likely the causal factor with BIA-ALCL, but rather, the textured surface of some implants. Many patients get these features confused, so when they ask, do silicone breast implants cause breast cancer, it’s important to clarify the difference between silicone smooth implants and silicone textured implants. 

Generally speaking, breast implant surgery with textured implants is performed when a patient wants teardrop or anatomical implants. The teardrop shape requires texturing so that the implants don’t rotate inside the implant pocket and cause an unnatural appearance.

So, what is it about textured breast implants that makes BIA-ALCL only occur in some patients? We believe the texturing on the breast implant allows for bacteria to hideout within the nooks and crannies of the silicone shell. Bacteria are smart, and they know that as soon as they enter the body, the immune system will be looking for them. 

Therefore, they do something very unique: A few bacteria cells make a covering over themselves called a biofilm. This biofilm acts like a barrier between the bacteria and the immune system.

So, even though the body knows the bacteria is there, despite its best efforts, it can’t get to it to destroy it. What happens over time is that the normal immune cells get frustrated trying day and night to get to these bacteria, and then the immune cells start to mutate. This mutation then prevents the cells from acting as they normally do.

Over a long period of time, these textured breast implants raise the likelihood that the formation of a lymphoma may occur. Most women presenting with BIA-ACLC get through their recovery time for breast implants just fine and don’t have a problem for many years. It’s usually those who’ve had their breast implants for 10 to 15 years who end up showing symptoms after this time. This is because the cellular transformation process takes a very long time.

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL

Here are some of the symptoms that may be related to BIA-ALCL:

  • Breast swelling
  • Breast hardening
  • Lumps in the armpit or breast
  • Breast pain
  • Red skin rash on or around the breast

Cosmetic Breast Augmentation and Cancer: Is BIA-ALCL Treatable With Breast Cancer Surgery?

Do Silicone Breast Implants Cause CancerThe promising news about breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is that it is very treatable. Current studies recommend removing the breast implant or implants as well as the scar tissue capsule around the implants (note: breast implants before and after the initial healing period post-augmentation look very different; the formation of scar tissue around implants occurs over time and is completely normal). Scar tissue and implant removal is curative of this rare cancer in the vast majority of cases.

Cancer Risk and Death Rate

So, what is your actual risk of dying from BIA-ALCL if you have textured breast implants for your entire life?

In order to understand this question we need to introduce a term called a micromort. One micromort is a one in 1,000,000 chance of dying from a certain activity. 

The concept of micromorts was originally developed to help evaluate high risk activities such as mountaineering or skydiving, as well as other common everyday activities. For instance, drinking 0.5L of wine, living two days in NYC, riding a bicycle for 17 miles, riding in a car for 230 miles, or traveling by plane for 1000 miles all increase your risk of dying by one micromort. 

In terms of BIA-ALCL, the micromort risk for a woman with bilateral breast implants over her lifetime is only 0.4 micromorts. That means you’re five times more likely to die every time you drink a bottle of wine or spend four days in New York City, than you are from BIA-ALCL related to textured implants!

Is the Risk Worth It?

The short answer is although there are reports of breast implants causing cancer, the incidence of BIA-ALCL is extremely low and if a woman is diagnosed early, the disease is very treatable.

Book a Consultation to Learn More

Do Silicone Breast Implants Cause Breast CancerFor more information on BIA-ALCL, please read my article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal as featured in Allure and Refinery29 entitled, “What’s your Micromort? A Patient-Oriented Analysis of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).”

For more information on breast implants, breast implant shapes, or breast augmentation surgery with San Francisco cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sieber, give us a call at 415-915-9000 to schedule a consultation appointment.

Dr. Dave Sieber and his staff are so awesome! Dr. Sieber is personable yet professional, his work is impeccable. He listens to his patient and works with them to achieve what they want. He’s like my hair dresser, a magician, you just want to do a happy dance with the results, only these results are lasting. Ok, but seriously, the procedure was very smooth, the staff and the doctors (Dr Sieber and the anesthesiologist) had great communication and made sure I was comfortable with very clear and concise pre op and post op directions. The healing process was very easy and the results are FABULOUS. Side note, Dr. Sieber has really awesome skin, I feel like this is impressive and important because really, would you trust a dentist with bad teeth? I am so elated and satisfied with the results, the size is perfect and they look and feel very natural. They are exactly what I wanted.*

SF Scientist

Dr. Sieber is a doctor who is not only extremely knowledgeable about the latest in cosmetic procedures, but a doctor who truly cares about his patients. I highly recommend him!*

christinemv

Dr. Sieber is a doctor who is not only extremely knowledgeable about the latest in cosmetic procedures, but a doctor who truly cares about his patients. I highly recommend him!*

jamiee

Dr. Sieber is attentive, responsive, and well trained. I had seen him for Botox and filler and he had done both without any pain or bruising and more importantly the results were fabulous. He has met with me on time at each appointment. He communicates what to expect, made sure I was comfortable throughout the procedure, checked on my healing every day post procedure. He couldn’t be more delightful not more talented. I had seen other plastic surgeons for in office treatments over the past decade and Dr. Sieber is at the top of the list in terms of delivering the desired outcome and high quality care.*

Facing 50 Feeling Fabulous
Call Gallery Contact Location
Skip to content