Breast Implant Study by the National Cancer Institute

In 1992, researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiated a study on the long-term health effects associated with silicone breast implants. It is estimated that between 1.5 million and 2 million women in this country have had breast implants since they first appeared on the market in 1962.
Here are the main results of the study:

The NCI researchers found no association between breast implants and the subsequent risk of breast cancer
In addition, they found no link between breast cancer risk and number of years of follow-up, nor with any particular type of implant. They did, however, see a shift toward somewhat later detection of breast cancers among the implant patients compared to the controls. Even though the differences were not statistically significant, there were consistently smaller percentages of in situ (early-stage) cancers among the implant patients. However, there was no significant difference in breast cancer mortality between the implant and comparison patients.

Reference: Brinton LA, Lubin JH, Burich MC, et al. Breast Cancer Following Augmentation Mammoplasty (United States). Cancer Causes & Control 2000; 11(9):819-827.

Women with implants were not at increased risk for most cancers with the exception of respiratory and brain cancers. The significance of the increased risks is not clear.
NCI researchers did not find increased risks for cancers of the stomach, large intestine, cervix, uterus, ovary, bladder or thyroid. Likewise, neither connective tissue nor immune system cancers such as soft tissue sarcomas, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, developed at higher rates. These cancers were previously linked to implants in smaller studies. The cancer rates for brain and respiratory cancers, however, were two to three times greater in the implant patients compared to other plastic surgery patients; only the rates of respiratory cancers reached statistical significance. The significance of the findings is not clear. It is possible that the higher risks observed for respiratory and brain cancers are not related to exposure to silicone, but are due to either chance findings or to factors common to women who choose to have implants.

Reference: Brinton LA, Lubin JH, Burich MC, et al. Cancer Risk at Sites Other than Breast Following Augmentation Mammoplasty. Annals of Epidemiology May 2001; 11(4):248-256.

Do you still have silicone gel implants?

Breast enlargement surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), was the fourth most popular invasive surgical procedure among cosmetic plastic surgeries performed in 2000. In a press release dated July 12, 2001, the ASPS says that breast augmentation was performed on 212,500 women last year.

Meanwhile, millions of women have been subjected to the ill effects of these modern day vanity contraptions that were bought in good faith.

Silicone gel implants were banned in 1992 by FDA.

If you have (or had) a ruptured silicone breast implant, you will be denied Health Insurance Coverage.

Saline-filled implants tend to have a higher rate of leaking and deflation than silicone gel implants, which means more frequent surgery to replace them.

In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Dr Lori Brown of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says: "There is emerging consensus that both the incidence and prevalence of breast-implant rupture are much higher than previously suspected."

21% overall increase in cancers for women with implants, compared to women of the same age in the general population.

Implant patients were three times as likely to die from lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia as other plastic surgery patients.The study is based on medical records and death certificates of almost 8,000 women with breast implants, including silicone gel implants and saline implants, and more than 2,000 other plastic surgery patients. ( National Cancer Institute (NCI), Boston University, Abt Associates, and the Food and Drug Administration, with Dr. Louise Brinton from NCI as lead author. )

The Best Candidates For Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

Before Surgery

I decided against the procedure at first and bought a refrigerator instead! I felt that with my luck, I would end up with capsular contracture, one of the most common risks or some other problem. There are many possible complications associated with breast augmentation and I did not want to mess up what little I had.

It wasn't until I met a friend that had them done that I changed my mind. She looked awesome and they felt great! Even then, I mulled over the idea for months. By the time I made up my mind I had to wait weeks just for my consultation visit and then another two months for the actual surgery.

Why did I become willing to mess up what little I had? Well, like any surgery, there are possible complications, but the chance of a better outcome was greater than the risks. Had I had boobs that could be lifted and pushed into some cleavage, I would not have chanced it. But since no push-up, Wonder or Miracle Bra could help me, I felt the chance was worth it. It was. Best money I ever spent and if I had to choose, I get these over the refrigerator any day.