Breast Implant
Women and men desire an ideal and perfect body type that is portrayed on magazines, in movies, and on television. Women, however, seem to go to extremes to alter their appearance by having plastic surgery. Breast implants have become a very common surgery for women. In the last decade, there has been much debate about the risks associated with breast implant. Cancer, lupus, arthritis, and more have been linked to silicone breast implants (Breast, 2000). However, some people argue that breast implant are not dangerous and cannot be scientifically linked to these diseases. Not only are breast implants potentially dangerous, but they are also expensive. Depending on the surgeon and area, breast implants can range between $2000 and $8000.
There are a few different types of breast implants that include saline filled and silicone gel-filled implants. Breast implants are not lifetime devices and cannot last forever. Some implants deflate, leak, or rupture and can cause pain and discomfort (Breast, 2000). When silicone gel-filled implants rupture, some women notice decreased breast size, nodules, uneven appearance of breasts, pain, tingling, swelling, or numbness. Saline implants contain salt water and leakage is noticeable and safe because the body absorbs the salt water (Breast, 2003). Some women may have a rupture without symptoms, but an MRI can be used for evaluating the condition of an implant (Breast, 2000). In Birmingham, Alabama a study was conducted on women who had breast implants before 1988. Women with silicone gel-filled breast implants had an MRI examination and 69% of the women had at least one implant that had ruptured (Breast, 2000).
Some women with breast implants have reported illnesses and diseases and there has been a concern that leaking silicone fluid might cause harmful effects, including tissue diseases and cancer (Other, 2000). Possible immune system diseases include connective tissue disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, or polymyositis. Some signs and symptoms that can be related to the immune system are joint pains, tightness, skin redness, swollen glands, fatigue, hair loss, memory problems, headaches, and muscle weakness (Other, 2000). There are more risks associated with breast implants such as infection, changes in the breast and nipple sensation, calcium deposits, necrosis, interference with mammography, and problems with breast-feeding (Breast, 2003). Infection can occur with any surgery and is noticeable within a few days to weeks. If an infection does not respond to antibiotics, the implant may have to be removed. In rare instances Toxic Shock Syndrome has been noted and can be life threatening (Breast, 2000). Necrosis is the formation of dead tissue around the implant and may prevent wound healing.
Many people argue that studies on breast implants cannot prove that they cause diseases. The Institute of Medicine reports that breast cancer is not more common in women with implants than those without implants (Other, 2000). Dr. Joseph Disa, an attending plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, comments, “Presently there is no established link between silicone breast implants and connective tissue disease and autoimmune disorder. Women interested in breast augmentation in the United States must use saline implants” (Breast, 2003).
Breast implants are very expensive and women should consider all the risk factors before getting breast implants and realize that these implants will not last forever. Although there is no definite linkage of breast implants and diseases, there are many risk that are involved with implants. These objects are foreign to the body and may cause many health problems.
Works Cited
“Breast Implants.” (2003). Ask the Expert. Retrieved February 19, 2003,
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows.strongmed/expert/expert2_17.html
“Breast Implants.” (2000). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Retrieved February 19,
2003, http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/birisk.html
“Other Illnesses.” (2000). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Retrieved February 19,