09 Jun Large Breast Implant Study Finds Surgery Leads to “Negligible Risks”
A couple of years ago, there were a few reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about alleged squamous cell carcinoma in those with postmastectomy breast implants. At Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, we are committed to informing and educating patients about the benefits and potential risks of all surgical and non-surgical procedures. Unfortunately, as is common, these handful of reports led to many women requesting breast implant removal “just in case,” ultimately causing additional inherent risks of surgery and the long-term outcome of being less satisfied with their appearance. Many experts have been trying to undo the misinformation spread by hyperbolic anecdotes since these findings—however, positive news headlines simply aren’t as click-worthy as the alternative.
There are a couple of facts to highlight. First, the risk of SCC was reported in a small number of women and those women specifically had implants after a mastectomy. That is generally considered restorative surgery, not cosmetic surgery. The vast majority of women who opt for implants have not had a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis. The implants in question were also a specific type from a certain maker, and there are many implants options that have been shown to be safe in countless studies. Recently, a large cohort study has found that there is actually a “negligible risk” of postmastectomy patients developing SCC after getting breast augmentation.
Risks by the Number
According to a study, which analyzed data from 57,000 women who had undergone reconstructive breast surgery including an implant, the incidence of SCC is so small that it is hardly worth mentioning. Researchers also aimed to address recent fears of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), which made similar headlines in recent years—and found five such cases in this same study. While five in 57,000 is higher than the general population, it is still—when considering the vast number of women without side effects—considered acceptable by many.
The researchers also stress that while women undergoing a mastectomy should of course be educated on all potential risks of reconstructive surgery, the negligible risks associated with breast implants means they “should not be dissuaded from pursuing implant-based reconstruction because of the [small] risk of SCC.” The complete study can be found in the April issue of JAMA Surgery.
What to Know About Implants
Last year the FDA issued a warning about SCC related to breast implants, and even in this statement said that the Administration was aware of “less than 20 cases.” Considering SCC is a kind of skin cancer, it is possible that those who underwent breast augmentation following a mastectomy would have developed SCC regardless of their implants. Those who have survived cancer typically tend to take better care of themselves while in remission, and one possibility is that SCC was caught in these patients due to their (and their doctors’ diligence) – and that perhaps they may not have seen a dermatologist for a timely SCC diagnosis otherwise.
All women in the recent research study had a mastectomy followed by implant reconstruction between 2000 – 2018. The median age was 51 and most were white. Across the follow-up study, there was one identified case of SCC, which means—in this study—there was an SCC rate of 2.37 per million person-years vs. the general population which has an incidence of 1.09 per million person-years. Is this figure “doubled?” Yes. But that can sound alarming when, in reality, only one person in 57,000 developed SCC during a years-long follow-up study. Researchers stress,
whether the observed elevated risk is associated with the implants is difficult to interpret because it is based on only 1 case and wide confidence intervals … we found that the incidence rate of SCC was extraordinarily low and of minimal public health concern.
If you are interested in breast augmentation, prioritizing your safety is a must. That means only working with the best cosmetic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Parson today by calling the office.