Breast Augmentation: Does It Cause Cancer In Patients?

Published on: 27 February 2019 Last Updated on: 18 December 2024
Breast Augmentation

Many women worry about developing breast cancer, especially when it comes to invasive procedures. In fact, according to breastcancer.org, one out of every eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Here, you will learn whether breast augmentation leads to cancer or not.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. More than 300,000 surgeries happen in the United States every year. Their number is growing.

Basically, breast augmentation is a full-scale surgery that tampers with the tissues. Hence, many patients fear the possibility of developing such dangerous conditions as cancer.

Can breast augmentation cause cancer? Let’s find out.

Understanding Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation is a surgical procedure with the help of which cosmetologists and doctors change the shape and size of a woman’s breasts. It is also called augmentation mammoplasty. Generally, there are two reasons why you need to perform breast augmentation:

  1. Cosmetic Reasons:This helps in making breasts larger, correcting asymmetrical breasts, or changing their shape.
  2. Reconstructive Reasons: Some women want to restore the volume of their breasts after pregnancy, weight loss, or even breast removal. Moreover, reconstruction also works when you want to increase the size of your breasts that are of different sizes.

Basically, during the breast augmentation procedure, the surgeon inserts breast implants under the chest muscle or breast tissue. Generally, these implants consist of sacs that are full of silicone or saline water. Moreover, the surgery mostly happens at an outpatient clinic or a hospital.

On the other hand, there is also a natural alternative to breast augmentation. This happens through fat transfer. Here, the surgeon brings out fat from the woman’s body through liposuction. Then, they inject the fat into the breasts of the woman. In some cases, this procedure surgeons call this process fat grafting.

Risk Factors To Breast Augmentation

The following are some of the major risk factors for breast augmentation:

  • Improper incision placement
  • Excessive tissue manipulation
  • Incorrect implant placement
  • Poor surgical technique
  • Inadequate hemostasis (control of bleeding)

Does Breast Augmentation Cause Cancer?

Different research came up to show whether implants can lead to cancer. According to Seattle breast augmentation surgeons at LaBelleVie and other board-certified doctors and qualified medical professionals, there is currently no evidence linking breast implants to breast cancer.

There are reasons why some women may find out about cancer after or even before getting implants. This depends on the fact that there are many tests before the actual surgery happens. So, patients discover tumors during the preparation procedures rather than after the insertion of the implant.

Generally, breast implants haven’t been linked to the appearance of breast cancer. However, they may increase the risk of developing a certain type of cancer. Actually, it is the Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or BI-AALCL.

What Is BI-AALCL?

BI-AALCL is an uncommon type of lymphoma that occurs around the implants after breast augmentation. It’s more common in women who opt for breast implants having surface textures.

BI-AALCL is an immune system cancer, NOT breast cancer. The risk of developing such cancer is rather low. One in about 30,000 women develops BI-AALCL after opting for breast augmentation with textured implants. However, if doctors discover the problem early enough, it is easy to cure.

The symptoms of this type of cancer include:

  • Unexpected breast enlargement
  • Breast asymmetry
  • Lump in the breast or armpit
  • Hardening of the breast
  • Fluid collection

If a patient experiences such symptoms, she must contact a doctor immediately in order to prevent cancer from spreading.

BIA ALCL can occur in patients who have chosen silicone or saline implants. Also, one can find it regardless of the type of surgery, be it breast reconstruction or breast enlargement.

As of today, no cases of women developing BI-AALCL after installing a smooth implant have been reported. If a patient opts for textured implants, the doctor must monitor her for several years after the surgery. Today, it’s not possible to run tests in order to understand which patients are prone to this disease.

Should You Remove My Breast Augmentation And Implants?

If you have textured implants, it doesn’t mean you will develop BI-AALCL. All the findings show that the risk of getting such cancer is quite low. Removing the implants is a drastic measure that should be discussed with the surgeon and the physician.

In the majority of cases, women with textured implants should be monitoring the condition of their breasts carefully in order not to miss the first signs of the disease.

For the majority of patients with stage 1 BI-AALCL, the cancer is confined in a capsule. Early treatment involves surgical removal. The survival rate of patients with such cancer is 89% over 5 years. The rate is much higher for women who are diagnosed early and who have the implant and the capsule removed timely.

Breast Augmentation And Cancer: The Way Forward

Does breast augmentation cause breast cancer? No. However, it can lead to an uncommon form of immune system cancer, which is well-treatable if caught early enough.

Do you have more information to add about breast augmentation? Please share them in the comments section below.

Read Also:

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Gallstone Surgery

What You Need to Know When Having Gallstone Surgery

Having surgery can be an anxiety-filled experience. However, the worries can be minimized by being aware of some important details about the procedure. It's either you try to forget everything about the surgery or learn some things about it, so you can be prepared as you go on the table. It goes without saying that you have to choose the best hospital and surgeons to have your operation with. If you have your gallstone surgery in London, for example, take the time to scrutinize the doctors who will work on you as well as the facilities and location. It also helps to know the following. Preparing for the surgery: Before you undergo surgery, you will be made to do some preparatory activities; one of which is to have your intestines cleaned. For this, a prescription solution may be given to you to facilitate the flushing of your stools and remove any accumulation in your intestines. This means that you should not eat anything the night before your surgery. Additionally, it is important to stop any medication as well as food supplements before surgery. The doctor usually instructs patients about this. If you have a condition that entails the continued use of a medication, the surgery may have to be postponed until you are fully healed. The intake of certain substances or chemicals may increase bleeding or create complications. You will be unconscious: The surgery to remove gallstones is called a cholecystectomy, a process which requires the use of general anaesthesia. This means that you will be unconscious throughout the operation. The anaesthesia is administered through a vein in your arm. To help you breathe while you are fully numbed, the doctors will insert a tube into your throat. The surgery may be an open procedure or performed through laparoscopy. Preparing for recovery: It is important that you have a plan for your recovery after the surgery. A cholecystectomy only takes a few hours, and the doctor can allow you to go home on the same day. You may only have to stay one or a few nights in the hospital if there are complications or if the procedure requires a longer incision in your abdomen. The doctors cannot always ascertain the extent of the invasiveness of the surgery beforehand, so it’s best to plan for the worst possible scenario. It is advisable to have someone with you as you go home and recover. If nobody can assist you at home during your recuperation, it is better to stay in the hospital for a few days until you are sure that you are nearly fully healed, and the wound is about to close up. Gallstone surgery has a 95% success rate, with 90% of patients typically discharged within 24 hours. There’s no reason to be overly anxious about it. You just need to prepare yourself mentally and physically. Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions, and you can expect everything to proceed without problems. Read Also: 7 Important Reasons For Breast Reduction Surgery How Can A Dallas Functional Medicine Doctor Help You?

READ MOREDetails
Medical Billing Errors

Common Medical Billing Errors And How Software Fixes Them

An authentic stream of revenue is needed for your medical practice to be efficient and profitable. However, you may need optimized billing efforts to avoid some challenges. Some medical billing problems you may encounter include client complaints and delayed payments. Bear in mind that these problems are capable of hurting your medical practice. Your primary task should be getting rid of those medical billing errors by fixing them. Billing errors are now common, but there are ways to fix them. Various software has been developed to help with practice management and reduce the chances of running into a medical billing problem. This software provides a medical billing solution that makes practice easy and smooth. This article will focus on the common medical billing errors you might face in your medical practice and tell you how software fixes those errors. Medical billing: Explained Medical billing is important in the healthcare industry. It involves the processing and submitting of healthcare claims to insurance companies so that medical services offered to patients by providers can be reimbursed. Medical billing is a complicated process with many steps, like claims submission, denial management, coding payment posting, and charge capture. Medical billing ensures that healthcare providers get their payment timely and accurately for services provided, which is vital for financial stability. An understanding of billing regulations and medical coding is needed for medical billing to be effective. Effecting billing also requires the potential to find your way around complex insurance systems. Excellent problem-solving and communication skills are must-haves for medical billers. This will help them resolve issues that might arise in the billing process. Electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), and electronic billing systems have risen. These systems have reduced errors and streamlined the billing processes. In essence, medical billing is challenging and complex; the task requires expertise and specialized knowledge. Medical billing is a vital role that must be addressed in the healthcare industry. Healthcare providers must receive reimbursement for services rendered n a timely and accurate manner. Despite the priority given to this medical billing process, various issues are bound to occur. These issues can make cash flow slow, claims can be denied, and financial difficulties may arise. Medical billing errors Let us explore the most common medical billing errors. 1. Data entry errors This billing error is prevalent. It occurs when incorrect information is entered into the billing system. Some errors may include procedure codes, insurance information, and patient demographics. Data entry errors increase administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. To prevent this error, healthcare providers should conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy and implement a double-entry system. 2. Coding errors When a medical service is assigned a wrong procedure code or the code is not specific, a coding error occurs. Coding errors lead to fraud allegations, delayed payments, and claim denials. With proper training of staff in medical coding, this error can be prevented. Healthcare providers should also ensure that they update their coding manuals regularly. 3. Upcoding and down coding Upcoding occurs when a healthcare provider bills for an expensive service than what was provided. Downloading occurs when a healthcare provider bills for a service that is less expensive than the provided one. Upcoding and down coding are fraudulent activities that can result in and attract legal actions and fines. Billing practices must be based on detailed and accurate documentation to prevent this error. 4. Duplicate billing Billing for the same service multiple times is duplicate billing, which occurs accidentally. Duplicate billing happens when a claim is resubmitted due to a technical error or intentionally as a fraudulent practice. Note that duplicate billing leads to legal actions, delayed payments, and claim denials. Implement a system to track and reconcile all claims to prevent duplicate billings. 5. Coordination of benefits errors This occurs when two or more insurance companies are responsible for a medical service payment, and a disagreement arises about who is responsible for the payment. Coordination of benefits errors can lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Healthcare providers must ensure that their patient’s insurance information is updated and accurate. 6. Out-of-network errors Errors like this occur when the healthcare provider bills for services an out-of-network insurance provider provides. This comes up when a patient receives medical services from a provider outside their outlined insurance network. Out-of-network errors lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Educate patients about insurance coverage and be sure that they obtain prior authorization for out-of-network services. How to fix them with software? Here are some ways software can be used to fix medical billing errors and improve the financial health of a healthcare practice. 1.   Automated claims management Automated claims management software is one of the best strategies to stop medical billing mistakes. Before submission to insurance companies, this software may automatically examine claims for mistakes and inconsistencies. Automated claims management software decreases the likelihood of claim denials and delayed payments, which may check for coding mistakes, duplicate billing, and other frequent problems. Eliminating the need for manual claims review and resubmission can save healthcare providers time and money. 2.   Electronic health records EHRs can improve medical billing efficiency by automating certain aspects of the process. For example, EHRs can automatically generate billing codes based on the services provided, reducing the risk of errors related to manual coding. The advancements in EHR software development have been pivotal in enabling these automations and ensuring the accuracy of medical billing and coding. EHRs can also facilitate submitting claims to insurance providers, reducing the time and resources needed to complete this task. Patient outcomes can be improved by healthcare providers by providing them with a complete picture of their patient's medical histories. By having access to comprehensive medical records, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions about patient care and avoid mistakes related to incorrect or incomplete information. 3.   Real-time eligibility verification Real-time eligibility verification software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to verify insurance information. By automating checking patient eligibility and coverage parameters, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality patient care. The software can also improve the accuracy of insurance information by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically verifying insurance information in real-time, healthcare providers can ensure they have the most up-to-date and accurate information before providing medical services. 4.   Automated payment posting Automated payment posting software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to process payments. By automating the posting of payments from insurance companies, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients. Automated payment posting software can also improve payment processing accuracy by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically matching payments to the corresponding claims, healthcare providers can ensure that payments are processed accurately and promptly. 5.   Data analytics Data analytics tools can help healthcare providers track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to their revenue cycle, such as days in accounts receivable, collection rates, and net revenue. By monitoring these metrics, healthcare providers can identify areas of their revenue cycle that need improvement and implement strategies to optimize their financial performance. These tools help healthcare providers identify opportunities to streamline their operations and reduce costs. For example, by analyzing supply usage and waste data, healthcare providers can identify areas where they can reduce waste and save money. 6.   Automated denial management This software can help healthcare providers identify patterns in claim denials, allowing them to improve their billing processes to prevent future denials. By streamlining the appeals process and reducing the number of denied claims, healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management and ultimately increase their bottom line. Automated denial management software can provide real-time insights into claim status and help healthcare providers prioritize which claims to focus on. This can be especially helpful for practices that handle large claims or have limited staff resources. It is a valuable tool for healthcare providers looking to improve their revenue cycle management and reduce the time and resources spent on manual appeal procedures. 7.   Patient payment portals Patient payment portals can also improve patient satisfaction by offering a convenient and secure way to pay medical bills. Patients can access their payment history, view outstanding balances, and set up payment plans through the portal. This level of transparency and control can help reduce patient anxiety and promote trust between patients and healthcare providers. It also saves healthcare providers time and resources by automating payment processing and reducing the need for staff to handle payment transactions manually. This can allow healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes rather than on administrative tasks. Conclusion Medical billing errors are a significant problem that can lead to financial loss and legal action for healthcare providers and patients. Healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management by implementing effective strategies to prevent these errors and ensure high-quality patient care. Software programs help streamline billing practices to provide better care to patients. Try using software to fix your medical billing errors to experience swift medical billing processes. Read Also: How Can A Dallas Functional Medicine Doctor Help You? How Can Healthcare Staffing Benefit You? American Healthcare and its Woes

READ MOREDetails
Heart Disease

Effects of Anxiety on Heart Disease

Stress and anxiety have become serious problems that people are facing in modern times. Researchers have proved this that anxiety has the connection between heart disease and many other health issues. This issue has become prevalent enough that should raise an alarm and make all of us think of efficient ways to keep anxiety under control. In this article, we are going to talk about the effects of anxiety on heart disease and why you need to do all you can to stay relaxed and avoid stressful situations. Effects of Anxiety on Heart Disease: Heart and general health monitoring apps: It’s strange to consider that applications that are meant to help people keep track of their health could actually be more harm than good. According to many physicians, apps could lead to unnecessary anxiety and there is plenty of evidence to back this up. The evidence comes in the form of the close relation between anxiety and heart disease. When people are constantly checking their apps and seeing heart rate spikes, their anxiety levels are going to rise. If they are monitoring their heart rate and other vitals all day long, they are going to start worrying about things that they would normally not even notice. This alone is a serious problem. The use of various health apps is a good idea in some ways. But it proves to be problematic for those who suffer from anxiety. No application should ever diagnose any kind of heart disease or potential issue (in fact none of them are actually capable of true and accurate diagnosis!). But many of these apps do attempt that and they even warn users of possible serious conditions. The best way for apps to be effective and avoid raising alarms or making assumptions is for them to be strictly used for heart rate monitoring, but even them, they can cause unnecessary anxiety. Studies that link anxiety and depression to heart disease: Washington University conducted studies that shed light on the connection between heart disease and patients that experienced anxiety and stress. It was determined that the number of patients who experienced anxiety is more likely to suffer from other heart-related conditions as well. While these studies are not conclusive, they do raise concerns. It has been widely documented that people who suffer from stress and anxiety are going to deal with health issues more often. Experts believe that untreated blood pressure is a factor: Leading cardiologist Simon Stertzer has previously discussed how high blood pressure is one of the factors that contribute to heart disease. This is definitely something that many heart patients worry about and their concerns are justified. The heart is a very complex organ and everything that happens in our bodies affects it in one way or another. Poorly treated blood pressure problems are often going to lead to heart disease, but blood pressure problems have also been linked to anxiety, so there is an obvious concern and anxiety seems to be right in the middle of the problem. Critical factors that predict the risk of heart disease: Heart disease continues to be a very common topic of discussion for many reasons. This a huge health concern all over the world, but it also continues to be a mystery in many ways. Fortunately, more discoveries are being made all the time and other treatment options are also available. This article from Digital Authority Partners covers some of the most important and critical factors that predict heart disease (with a very cool infographic!). This includes age, social and economic factors, lifestyle factors and environmental pollution. It’s important to note that stress and anxiety are always considered lifestyle factors. It seems like people are learning to live with stress and anxiety now and that is a very bad thing. Most people admit that they feel anxiety and stress all the time, but they have learned to live with those feelings. They feel that they have this problem under control but their anxiety is causing all kinds of health issues. Learning to relax is going to be essential to fight anxiety. The main causes of anxiety: There are many causes of anxiety in modern times. Some of the most common and relevant include drugs, alcohol, caffeine, thyroid hormone problems, and certain medications. Then you also have the stress of life, with everyone being so competitive and time management being such a big deal, people are more stressed out than ever before. This is often going to lead to anxiety. Keeping your body healthy with a good diet and exercise is always going to be an important thing to consider. If you feel your dietary habits are bad and you are living a sedentary life, you might want to make some changes as soon as possible. How to get rid of anxiety: Anxiety can be very difficult to handle for some people. The problem can be so serious that they require medication just to function properly. If you feel like you are experiencing anxiety, you might want to look for ways to start dealing with it naturally. Practice breathing exercises: This is a great way to relax and to lower your anxiety levels. You could learn this by practicing yoga. There are many benefits to Yoga, but lowering anxiety is your priority in this case. Exercise often: Being active and exercising outdoors is always a great way to get rid of stress and anxiety. A large number of individuals claim that their anxiety levels are much lower after they workout. Get rid of junk food and sugars: It seems almost unavoidable to eat food that is bad for us sometimes, but the more you avoid sugars and general junk food, the better your body is going to perform. Anxiety and stress are also linked to bad dietary habits. Final thoughts: The more we learn about anxiety, the easier it becomes for us to figure out how to deal with this problem. Knowing that your heart is greatly affected by anxiety should be a warning sign that everyone needs to keep in mind. This knowledge can help prevent serious issues with heart-related problems. Read Also: Art Activities For Stress Relief How Martial Art Can Help You Stay Fit And Healthy Ways To Emotionally Deal With Chronic Illness

READ MOREDetails