| A decades-long study finds no connection between | | | | 40 percent of women who get breast implants end |
| women with silicone breast implants and breast | | | | up needing a second operation. Minor complications |
| cancer. In the 37-year-long study, American | | | | include wrinkling, asymmetry, implant shifting or |
| researchers examined 3,486 Swedish women who | | | | rupture. But despite the possibility of additional |
| received breast implants for cosmetic reasons. They | | | | surgeries plus the cost--which can exceed the cost |
| discovered that only 53 of the women developed | | | | of the initial implant surgery--the breast |
| breast cancer, compared to 71.9 that would have | | | | enhancements are gaining popularity. |
| been expected in the general population. | | | | In 2003 there were almost 255,000 breast |
| The research was led by Joseph McLaughlin, Ph.D., | | | | augmentation surgeries, according to the American |
| cancer epidemiologist with the Vanderbilt-Ingram | | | | Society of Plastic Surgeons. That's nearly twice the |
| Cancer Center, and colleagues at the Karolinska | | | | number performed in 1998. |
| Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Their findings were | | | | Saline or silicone |
| printed in the April 19, 2006 issue of the Journal of | | | | Many people now have the choice between saline |
| the National Cancer Institute. | | | | and silicone implants. Saline implants use silicone shells |
| Many of the women studied had smaller breasts, | | | | that are typically pre-filled, or filled with a saltwater |
| gave birth at a younger age and were thin--all factors | | | | mixture during surgery. These types of breast |
| associated with a low risk of cancer. Researchers | | | | implants can be adjusted after breast augmentation |
| also found that the women with silicone implants | | | | surgery by altering the amount of solution. |
| were more likely to develop lung cancer than breast | | | | Silicone implants are merely shells filled with a silicone |
| cancer. Of those studied, 20 developed lung cancer, | | | | gel and ideal for anyone who needs a lift along with |
| compared to the predicted 9.1. Some researchers | | | | the implants. While saline-filled implants leak only salt |
| believe Swedish women with implants are more likely | | | | water if they rupture, silicone gel-filled breast implants |
| to smoke--thus increasing the likelihood of lung | | | | maintain their shape following a rupture. Silicone |
| cancer. | | | | breast implants, however, often result in a softer |
| Quieting the controversy? | | | | breast and some cosmetic surgeons prefer them |
| The study is good news for women who have | | | | over saline to correct skin ripping that may occur. |
| considered breast augmentation, but were deterred | | | | Benefits of implants |
| by the controversy concerning their health. In 1992, | | | | Breast augmentation is often successful at making |
| the use of silicone gel implants was restricted by the | | | | the breasts appear fuller and larger. The results aren't |
| U.S. Food & Drug Administration. In November of | | | | always natural, larger breasts--many tend to be more |
| 2006, they were approved for women ages 22 and | | | | round and perky than natural breasts of the same |
| older. Both of the silicone-implant manufacturers | | | | size. Many women and men find these differences to |
| approved by the FDA--Allergan Corp. and Mentor | | | | be an improvement. |
| Corp.--must conduct 10-year patient follow-ups for | | | | For women who are unhappy with their breast size, |
| 40,000 women. | | | | breast augmentation can produce results that |
| The National Institute of Medicine | | | | dramatically improve their self-confidence, |
| According to the National Institute of Medicine, 25 to | | | | self-esteem and quality of life. |