Generalized risks of all breast implants
Breast implants, even those filled with saline, are made out of a
silicone elastomer shell. Introduction of any foreign object into the body causes a
reaction of the immune system to the foreign object. This reaction, according to some, can
result in an exaggerated response resulting in systemic immunodeficiency problems.
The Institute of Medicine Report, which reviewed nearly all studies
conducted to date as of July of 1999, however, found no connection between implants and
these diseases. Despite the Institute of Medicine study's finding of a lack of a
connection between implants and disease, there are a number of risks worth considering
quite seriously if you are considering breast augmentation.
Saline and silicone implants obscure the visibility of breast tissue
in mammography. As you already know, regular mammography examination after a certain age
is extremely useful in detecting breast cancer. Both silicone and saline implants can
block the visibility of the tissue in which tumors may be present. For this reason, many
doctors recommend the implants be placed under the muscle so that breast tissue is pushed
further out but not obscured by the implant as much. Even this procedure does not remove
the risk of reducing the effectiveness of mammography.
Although no studies have confirmed any connection between implants
and breast cancer, it should be presumed that lack of early detection due to ineffective
breast exams could result in a higher risk of undetected breast cancer from other causes.
For more information about breast implants and breast cancer, consult the website for the
Susan Komen Foundation.
Other risks of implants include: complications from anesthesia,
capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant), leak or rupture
requiring repeat surgery, hematoma (pooling of clotted blood), change or loss in nipple
sensation, shifting of the implant, visible and/or palpable rippling of the implant,
infection, pain (obviously) and displacement of the implant.
You should be prepared to discuss all of these with your surgeon and
ask if you can obtain a package insert or similar information from the manufacturer, which
provides information about known risks. Some of them are discussed in more detail in
the pages that follow.
