Chapter 3
IN THIS LESSON
BIA-ALCL and SCC-ALCL cancer risks associated with Breast Implants.
In this lesson, we will focus on the cancer risks associated with Breast Implants. We will not discuss the research and causation of Breast Cancer. Although there may be some who have experienced Breast Cancer before or after receiving implants, most studies have shown Breast Implants to be associated with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL & SCC) and rare tumors. My heart and prayers go out to those who are affected by Breast Cancer.
Plastic Surgeons Defend Textured Breast Implants at 2019 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Hearing: Why It Is Time to Reconsider
"On May 2, 2019, the FDA heard the harrowing testimony of women affected by Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). These women left an impression on those attending the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hearing.1"
"Dr. Adams, lead author of a 2017 study of 42,000 Allergan Biocell implants, made a presentation on behalf of textured breast implants.5 He claimed that following his 14-point plan to improve sterility not only reduces the risk of capsular contracture to <1%, but also eliminates the risk of BIA-ALCL.3"
"The problem was that Dr. Adams referenced study reported a 2.2% capsular contracture rate, not <1%.5 It is unclear how Adams determined these spectacularly low contracture rates."
"Adams stated that all 8 surgeons in the study, none of whom had encountered a case of BIA-ALCL, used the 14-point plan. There was no proof whether the 14 points were actually followed for the duration of the study, which invites selection bias.6"
"Six authors were Allergan consultants, including Adams, who stated at the hearing that he had no financial disclosures for his presentation, beyond his educational activities.3"
"A recent journal disclosure indicated that Dr. Adams is a consultant, advisor, and research coordinator for Allergan and Sientra.7"
"According to the propublica.org website, Adams received >$75,000 from Allergan in 2016, the most recent year for which payment data are available.8"
Ref: Swanson E. Plastic Surgeons Defend Textured Breast Implants at 2019 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Hearing: Why It Is Time to Reconsider. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019 Aug 30;7(8):e2410. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002410. PMID: 31592028; PMCID: PMC6756678.
In 2019, the FDA decided against a ban on textured breast implants (1) even though the testimonies of the victimized women were compelling. Surgeons and physicians fought against the ban because they believed textured implants had a lower capsular contracture rate.
Dr. Adams, lead author of a 2017 textured breast implant study (2), presented his program to the FDA to eliminate the risk of BIA-ALCL (cancer). Most of the surgeons who participated in this study were on the advisory board for Allergan (the company that makes textured breast implants) (3).
What Dr. Adams didn't tell the FDA is that he had received over $75,000 from Allergan in 2016.
A few months later, the FDA requested that Allergan recall their textured breast implants to Protect Patients.(3)
Ref 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6756678/#R5
Ref 2: Adams WP Jr, Culbertson EJ, Deva AK, R Magnusson M, Layt C, Jewell ML, Mallucci P, Hedén P. Macrotextured Breast Implants with Defined Steps to Minimize Bacterial Contamination around the Device: Experience in 42,000 Implants. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 Sep;140(3):427-431. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003575. PMID: 28841597.
Breast Cancer after Augmentation Mammoplasty with Silicone Gel-Filled Implant: A Case Report
BACKGROUND:
"Speculation that silicone implants may be linked to increased incidence of breast cancer, other cancers and connective tissue diseases is a current cause of concern. Adequate data to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of these devices do not exist. Even though the high incidence of breast cancer after silicone implant mammoplasty is not proven, compared to non-augmented women, the augmented women presented with more advanced disease resulting in a poorer prognosis (2–3)."
RESULTS:
"We report a case with breast cancer in a patient after silicone implant mammoplasty. A 47 year old housewife with a silicone gel-filled implant mammoplasty carried out 10 years ago presented with a palpable painless lump in the right breast. Excision biopsy revealed infiltrating ductal carcinoma (cancer)."
CONCLUSION:
"It seems prudent not to recommend augmentation mammoplasty in high risk patients: for example those with strong family history of breast cancer, patients with previous contralateral breast cancer, and patients with previous breast biopsy showing significant epithelial hyperplasia (lesions)."
"In the light of recent advances in autogenous tissue reconstruction (fat transfer) and the anxiety of silicone implant controversy, (TRAM) flaps should be considered as an alternative procedure (1)."
Ref 1: Tun M, Madhavan M. Breast cancer after augmentation mammoplasty with silicone gel-filled implant: a case report. Malays J Med Sci. 1999 Jul;6(2):26-9. PMID: 22589686; PMCID: PMC3329741.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22589686/
In this study, a woman was found to have breast cancer 10-years after getting breast implants. The researchers could not determine if breast implants caused the cancer, but they concluded many women with breast implants end up having advanced diseases after surgery.
It was recommended that high risk patients, with a family history of breast cancer or lesions, should not get breast implants, I believe it is important to tell your doctor about your family history if you are looking to get Breast Augmentation.
Breast Implant-Associated Tumors
BACKGROUND:
"In addition to anaplastic large T-cell lymphomas (BIA-ALCL), other implant-related tumors have been described for some years. Squamous cell carcinoma (SSC) and B-cell lymphomas occurred in very rare cases."
RESULTS:
"The unexplained pathogenesis as well as the unclear individual risk profile is an ongoing source of uncertainty for patients and physicians. The pathogenesis of the tumors is still largely not understood. While BIA-ALCL occurs more frequently with textured breast implants, other tumors were also observed with smooth implants and at other implant sites. Multiple potential mechanisms are discussed."
CONCLUSION:
"It is suspected that the etiology of a chronic inflammatory response and subsequently immuno-stimulation appears to play a key role in the malignant transformation. Since there are currently no sufficiently valid data for a specific risk assessment, this must be done with caution. This article presents the incidence, pathogenesis, as well as the level of evidence according to the current state of knowledge, and evaluates and discusses the current literature." (1)
Ref 1: von Fritschen U, Kremer T, Prantl L, Fricke A. Breast Implant-Associated Tumors. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2023 Jun 6;83(6):686-693. doi: 10.1055/a-2073-9534. PMID: 37614684; PMCID: PMC10444514.
There have been 1,130 reported cases of BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Cancer). There are also women with Breast Implants who have capsular contracture, cysts, scar tissue, nipple sensitivity, rupture, and fibrosis. It is impossible to know if you will have complications from Breast Implants, but it is something to consider.
Personalized Cancer testing RGCC testing: https://myrgcc.com/
Final Thoughts
It can feel overwhelming sometimes when trying to make the right decision. Having knowledge and understanding will make a DIFFERENCE in your life and the lives of others. Remember.....YOU are AMAZING!
If you would like to learn more email us at: biihealingisreal@gmail.com
Visit our non-profit website: www.integrativehopeforhealing.org
Breast Implant Research: www.breastimplantresearch.org
