Can Breast Augmentation Cause Cancer?

Published on: 27 February 2019 Last Updated on: 15 April 2021
Breast Augmentation

Many women worry about developing breast cancer. Especially, when it comes to any invasive procedures. According to breastcancer.org, one out of every eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in her lifetime.

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

Since breast augmentation is a full-scale surgery, which tampers with the tissues, many patients are worried about the possibility of developing such dangerous conditions as cancer.

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

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Different research has been done to find out if 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.

The reason why some women may find out about cancer after or even before getting implants is linked to the fact that many tests are run before the surgery is performed. So patients discover tumors during the preparation procedures rather than after the implant is inserted.

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

BI-AALCL:

BI-AALCL is an uncommon type of lymphoma, which occurs around the implants after breast augmentation is performed. It’s more common in women, who opt for breast implants that have textured surfaces.

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. If the condition is discovered 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. It can be found 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, she should be monitored by her doctor 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 I Remove My Breast 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, which 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.

Conclusion:

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.

Read Also:

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Related

Mesothelioma

4 Steps to Take If You Encounter Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be harmful to human health due to its carcinogenic nature. However, if asbestos is such a dangerous element, why did people use it from the 1950s to the 1970s inside their homes? Well, it was due to its heat-proof qualities. Typically, asbestos was used as insulation material inside houses. However, asbestos can cause various diseases, one of which is mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that results from prolonged exposure to asbestos. It usually occurs when you breathe in asbestos fibers, leading to a malignant cancerous growth on the lining of your lungs. Some symptoms might include but are not limited to high-grade fever, respiratory issues, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, dry coughing, and much more. Finding out that you have mesothelioma can be devastating. That doesn't mean they should give up hope and count the days they have left to live. Sure, no amount of money will help you improve your mental well-being. However, compensation will enable you to pay for treatment or ensure that your family is well-cared for. That being said, let us look at a few steps you can take if you end up developing mesothelioma. Research Your Treatment Options While it may be impossible to reverse the lung damage caused by this type of cancer, you still have a few treatment options after contracting mesothelioma. For instance, if you contract pleural mesothelioma, some treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. These treatment options will help slow down the spread of cancer and alleviate some symptoms. Furthermore, doctors might ask you to undergo oxygen therapy to help you breathe easier if your lungs are damaged due to mesothelioma. Plus, they might also suggest you quit smoking to prevent further damage. The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the stage of cancer. For instance, if your mesothelioma is at its second or third stage, your physician might recommend chemo or radiotherapy as a last resort.  Consult With Your Primary Care Physician Once you've researched all your treatment options, talking to your primary care physician about which one is right for you is the next step to take. Your doctor will assess your cancer and provide you with a better idea of what treatment option will be the best fit for you. However, the good news is that sometimes, the symptoms might be due to another medical issue altogether. After all, mesothelioma results from years of asbestos exposure, and symptoms probably won't show up until fifteen to twenty years after exposure. So, it would be wise to consult your doctor to rule out all other medical conditions that have similar symptoms as mesothelioma. However, if you're already diagnosed with this type of cancer, your primary care physician will keep you under observation and refer you to a pulmonologist.  Hire A Mesothelioma Attorney If your doctor has diagnosed your cancer, the next step is to hire a competent mesothelioma attorney. A mesothelioma lawyer will help you file your lawsuit on time. That said, there are two types of mesothelioma lawsuits that you can file; a personal injury and a wrongful death claim. In the case of a personal injury lawsuit, your mesothelioma lawyer will help you file a claim for compensation against your employer. However, you will be eligible for this type of claim if you can provide information about your diagnoses like employment records, medical reports, evidence of exposure at your workplace, and much more. So, go ahead and hire a competent mesothelioma lawyer if you think that your diagnosis was a direct result of asbestos exposure at your workplace. Search For A Support Network There is no shadow of a doubt that a mesothelioma diagnosis will affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. So, searching for a support network for family and friends is vital for recovery. After all, it would help immensely to never feel disheartened and alone after receiving your diagnosis. If you don't have any friends or family members to confide in, look for an oncology cancer social worker. They will guide you and help you search for resources to manage your mesothelioma effectively. In addition, signing up for a cancer support group is another viable option. In fact, you can go online and search for such support groups with the click of a mouse. Being diagnosed with mesothelioma will undoubtedly leave you in a state of emotional turmoil. While the steps mentioned in this article will allow you to improve your quality of life, don’t forget to prioritize spending time with your friends, family, and loved ones! So, go ahead and surround yourself with people who will support you and love you during such a testing time of your life. not to mention, leaning on loved ones for help and support will enable you to stay motivated and keep a positive look on life. Read Also: How Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer Is Related? Symptoms and Treatments for Shingles 5 Types of Cancer Prominent in Women Early Symptoms and Signs of Breast Cancer

READ MOREDetails
Winter Fitness

10 Winter Fitness Hacks to Help You Stick to Your Fitness Goals

Are you having a hard time getting up off your butt and dragging yourself down to the gym this winter? This is a problem that many Americans face. They choose to take a break from working out once it gets cold in the winter. And unfortunately, it leads to most of them falling out of shape and failing to get the proper amount of exercise every week. If you currently find yourself in this scenario, there are some winter fitness hacks that can help you stick to your fitness goals during the colder months. Take a look at 10 of them below. 1. Start by Setting New Fitness Goals: First things first: If you're going to chase after fitness goals this winter, it's a good idea to begin by putting those goals into place. The goals that you have for the winter are probably different than the goals you have at other times of the year. Is your goal to: Lose weight after the holiday season? Get yourself in shape for a marathon in the spring? Add 10 pounds of muscle for next summer? Whatever the case may be, you're going to have a tough time hitting your goals if they aren't clearly defined. Make them as specific as they can be and write them down so you can refer back to them regularly. 2. Find a Winter Workout Buddy: Just about everyone who works out in the winter struggles to do it at one time or another. It's not easy to go to the gym when it's below freezing outside with snow on the ground. To increase your chances of sticking to a normal gym schedule, you should find a winter workout buddy and hold one another accountable. You're more likely to go to the gym several times a week when you know someone else is depending on you to be there. 3. Sign Up for Sessions with a Personal Trainer: If you can't find anyone who wants to go to the gym with you on a regular basis, your next best bet is to sign up for sessions with a personal trainer. A personal trainer can take a look at your goals and create a workout schedule for you so that you can hit them. They'll also work with you when you show up at the gym to make sure you're doing exercises correctly. You'll start to see results in no time when you have a personal trainer by your side. You'll also have an easier time going to the gym when you have sessions scheduled with your trainer. 4. Consider Trying a New Workout Routine: Have you been doing the same workout routine for months on end now? Maybe you've been lifting weights like crazy. Or maybe you've been doing nothing but taking one spin class after another. To keep things fresh, you should consider trying a new workout routine in the winter. It'll put some pep in your step and prevent your winter workouts from getting stale. 5. Enroll in New Fitness Classes: Another way to keep your winter workouts fresh is by signing yourself up for a new class at the gym. Whether you choose to do yoga, kickboxing, or something else, you'll enjoy working out in a class setting. Fitness classes keep you motivated by surrounding you with other people who are chasing fitness goals just like you. Together, you'll increase your chances of hitting your goals and keep one another motivated. 6. Find Quick Workouts You Can Do at Home: There are going to be times when you simply can't make it to the gym. Inclement weather will prevent you from getting there. But don't use that as an excuse not to work out! There are so many simple exercises that you can do right at home without using any equipment. Exercises like cross jacks, plank heel touches, and skater squats are a great way to get a quick workout in when you can't make it to the gym for whatever reason. 7. Refuse to Make Excuses for Not Working Out: When the snow is falling and the temperature is in the teens, you're going to be tempted to make excuses for not working out. Don't do this! If you need to, hang up inspirational quotes all around your home that focus on not making excuses. They'll help you get up and moving in no time. 8. Put Together a Winter Workout Playlist: When is the last time you updated your workout playlist? If it's been a while now, you should consider making a new mix for the winter. You can use one of the many music streaming services to create a motivational playlist. You'll look forward to listening to the playlist each and every time you walk into the gym. 9. Invest in Winter Workout Gear: The workout gear that you wear in the summer is not the workout gear that you should wear in the winter. This website features tons of workout gear that would be perfect for exercising in the wintertime. By filling up your closet with the right gear, you'll give yourself even more motivation to continue working out this winter. 10. Hang Your Swimsuit Up on Your Bedroom Door: The other winter fitness hacks that are listed here should work well for most people. They should help you to stay in the shape this winter. But if they don't, this winter fitness hack should definitely do the trick! Take your swimsuit and hang it up on the back of your bedroom door. It'll force you to look at your swimsuit and think about your beach body (or lack thereof!) every time you leave your bedroom. If that doesn't motivate you to work out this winter, nothing will. Use These Winter Fitness Hacks to Stay in Shape: Some people don't have any problem maintaining a workout routine in the wintertime. But if you aren't one of those people, it can be frustrating to see your physical fitness fall into shambles in the winter. Rather than sitting by and watching yourself fall out of shape, but the winter fitness hacks listed here to good use. Check out our blog to see how you can make your fitness more of a priority even when your time is limited. Read Also: Bed Time Yoga To Sleep Well The Importance Of Sport To Recommendations For Winter

READ MOREDetails
Stress Relief

Art Activities for Stress Relief

Many artists use art not only to express their ideas and thoughts but also to relieve stress. Artists claim that creating art can provide a catharsis for difficult emotions, distract you from your worries and much more. Also, getting into the state of “flow” can also be restorative for your mind. As all the mentioned benefits aren’t enough, you will get a beautiful piece of art in the end. It is essential to know that art shouldn’t be created and enjoyed only by those who are talented or artistically inclined. Art should be created and enjoyed by everyone. Studies show that art therapy can help you relieve anxiety, depression, and stress. So, if you are feeling tense and need a natural and fun way to unwind, it’s time to get some brushes, colors and a canvas and delve into an art activity. Here are some great art ideas for stress relief recommended by Mac Fine Art galleries. Create Something Beautiful: Some people are deeply talented and able to create lifelike paintings, funny cartoons, powerful drawings and similar with ease. Other people may even experience difficulties trying to draw stick figures and hearts. If you are like one of the latter, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try art therapy. In fact, when it comes to stress management and enjoying the benefits of art, talent or the end product don’t matter at all. It’s all about the process of creating art and expressing your feelings. However, if you are not comfortable expressing yourself through a drawing, you could create something that’s just for you in your own personal drawing journal. You don’t have to show it to your friends or someone else. Create Your Own Mandala: Art therapists and even many famous psychologists such as Carl Jung have recommended creating mandalas for stress relief. Mandalas are circular designs that often consist of unique patterns and symbols. While making a mandala, you will process your feelings or things you went through in your life. It’s an excellent idea to symbolize some of your feelings, triumphs or losses with unique patterns and colors. There is no need to reveal your story because you may potentially trigger rumination. You just need to root yourself in the moment and allow the entire process to free yourself from negative thoughts or heal yourself from negative emotions. Your mandala can look however you want it. It can be rich with meaning or very basic. All you need to do is have fun. After you are done with drawing, you should also color it. If you really enjoy coloring mandalas but no so much the process of creating them, you can buy mandala coloring books. Join an Art Class: If you have enough time, it would be great to join an art class. One of the benefits of attending an art class is that it cements the activity into your schedule and routine. Also, being supported by a group can be a stress reliever in itself. If you don’t have enough time for this, consider taking a one-time workshop or something similar. Consider all your options and see what works best for you. You Can Always Doodle: If you don’t have much time for art classes or creating a complex painting at home, you can always dedicate 20 minutes of your time for a drawing session. Remember how you doodled at school when you were bored? It really felt good, right? It’s time to embrace your inner doodler again! You can get a sketchbook for 5-minute doodles, and keep it somewhere handy. If you love writing a journal, don’t forget to beautify the margins with hearts, flowers, smiling faces or whatever else you want. Doodling will let your inner artist slowly come out whenever you have time, and just enjoy life. Read Also: 5 Ways College Students Can Minimize Back To School Stress How Stress During Studies Can Affect The Health Of Your Children?

READ MOREDetails