Do Breast Implants Actually Cause Harm – And How?

Author:  Lisa Haskins-Pearson

Breast implants are a common choice for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, with approximately 2.2 million women undergoing this procedure annually.  However, the decision to get breast implants carries risks that are not always fully disclosed.  Breast implants can trigger autoimmune-like reactions and, in some cases, lead to rare, soft tissue cancers.  These cancers often originate in the capsules—fibrous skin-like tissue barriers that naturally form around all breast implants.  Formed from the same cells as scar tissue, the capsules initially protect the body by preventing the migration of harmful chemicals from the implant shells.  Unfortunately, they soon become as toxic as the breast implants themselves.  Women experiencing illness related to breast implants must find qualified explant surgeons committed to complete removal of both the implants and surrounding capsules to support optimal healing.

Saline breast implants are often promoted as safer than their silicone counterparts, but this is misleading since all breast implants have a silicone shell.  Research by Dr. Henry Dijkman in the Netherlands has shown that even medical-grade silicone is not inert in the body.  Over time, it degrades into microscopic particles that migrate to organs, lymph nodes, skin, and other tissues, triggering an inflammatory reaction known as mast cell activation.  This response can lead to a “cytokine storm,” a severe immune reaction similar to the inflammatory process seen in severe cases of COVID-19.  Left unchecked, chronic inflammation overwhelms the immune system, impairs toxin elimination, and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as autoimmune conditions and cancer.

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is an autoimmune-like condition that results from an inflammatory response to silicone in the body.  Despite 55 signs and symptoms of BII commonly recognized, the condition has not yet been assigned an ICD (International Classification of Diseases) code by the World Health Organization (WHO).  Signs and Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness. ICD codes are standardized codes used to classify and code diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures in healthcare. They help in the collection and analysis of health data, ensuring consistency in reporting and billing across different healthcare systems. Without an ICD code BII cannot be officially diagnosed, limiting access to insurance reimbursement for treatment and hindering the collection of global health data necessary to better understand and address this illness.  In addition, lack of validation causes many Dr.s to disregard women questioning breast implant illness.  They are frequently written off as “hormonal” or “emotional” and sent home by Dr.s insisting “there is no such thing”.

The FDA announced Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in 2017 as the first cancer caused by breast implants.  This rare lymphoma originates within the fluid that collects around the implant and surrounding capsule.  Diagnosis is confirmed by testing a sample of this fluid, however many doctors are not adequately trained to recognize or test for this condition leading to frequent missed diagnoses.  Often referred to as "cancer of the immune system," BIA-ALCL is linked to severe immunosuppression in many women prior to diagnosis.  When identified early, both BII and BIA-ALCL are typically treatable.  Left unchecked, BIA-ALCL can progress to the soft tissues and lymph nodes, making timely detection crucial.

On September 8, 2022, the FDA announced additional cancers linked to all types of breast implants.  While rare, Breast Implant-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BIA-SCC) and various soft tissue sarcomas, leukemias, and vascular cancers have been found to originate in the toxic capsules surrounding breast implants.  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly associated with skin cancer but can develop in any area lined by flat epithelial cells including the mouth, throat, nasal cavity, esophagus, thyroid, lungs, digestive tract, reproductive organs, bladder, blood vessels, and eyes.  The capsule that forms around breast implants also contains epithelial cells, making it a potential site for squamous cancer to emerge. 

The World Health Organization added a new ICD category (PK9B.2) when ICD Codes transitioned from ICD-10 to ICD-11 in January, 2022.  In addition to allowing for adverse reactions from prosthetics and medical devices placed in the body and new diseases of the immune system, over 5,500 rare diseases not previously represented have been added.  Due to the enormity of these changes, few countries have fully implemented the ICD-11 coding yet.  The U.S.A. estimates it could take 4-5 years for ICD-11 to be fully implemented.  Though Breast Implant Illness still won’t have a specific code, the ICD-11 code changes evidence a decided shift in recognizing that the human body can and does react to various foreign materials. 

Before opting for breast implant surgery, it’s crucial women discuss the risks with their surgeon, including the possibility of Breast Implant Illness (BII).  Genetic testing may help identify predispositions to these reactions but there is currently no unified approach to addressing this new finding.  For those considering breast implant surgery, researching Breast Implant Illness through the multitude of online support groups on Social Media provides valuable insights necessary for a truly informed decision.