Breast Implants and ALCL
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in January it investigated a possible link between breast implants and a rare form of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or ALCL. As stated in the video from FDA, women with breast implants have a small chance, but increased risk of being diagnosed with ALCL.
The disease is not a form of breast cancer but of the immune system. In it’s latest findings, the original number of cases from 60 has decreased to 34. There is yet to be any definitive conclusion from the investigation, and it is expected that any results or recommendations will take years of research. Given the tiny percentage of women with breast implants diagnosed with ALCL, it may be impossible to conclude that breast implants cause the disease.
For those who are considering breast implants or are living with implants, I would recommend to not go into a panic even though I know the thought of anything associated with cancer can be alarming. The chance of getting ALCL from breast implants is incredibly low – there is more likely a chance to be struck by lightning. It is also a good reminder for women to have annual breast exams and to contact your surgeon if you experience pain, lumps or swelling in or around their implants – whether the implants are new or five years old.
For more information about the subject, you can visit FDA’s ALCL page.
