Breast implants cancer: Researchers on Tuesday have said that women who get breast implants will be at a greater risk of death from breast cancer.
In a study, published in the British Medical Journal, scientists called for a probe into potential health risks associated with the cosmetic surgery. Specifically, implants may delay a diagnosis of cancer in women, according to the AFP news agency.
A Canadian team of epidemiologists reviewed 12 earlier studies on women with breast implants, finding that women who underwent the procedure had a 26 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with a later stage of cancer.
They reasoned that it likely was caused by the implants creating shadows in mammograms and obstructs the view and diagnosis.
“The research published to date suggests that cosmetic breast augmentation adversely affects the survival of women who are subsequently diagnosed as having breast cancer,” reads an abstract of the study on the Journal’s webiste.
It added: “These findings should be interpreted with caution, as some studies included in the meta-analysis on survival did not adjust for potential confounders. Further investigations are warranted regarding diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer among women with breast implants.”
Citing the study, The Guardian reported that saline- and silicone-filled implants cause radio-opaque shadows, meaning that breast tissue isn’t visible on the film.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons issued a statement with a cautionary tone.
“As the authors themselves conclude, the results of this statistical analysis of previously published papers should be treated with caution,” the association said, according to The Independent.
It added: “The study only demonstrates an association of reduced survival rate from non-localised (advanced) breast cancer in women with breast implants rather than a cause. The authors also quote many papers that show no association between breast implants and an increase in breast cancer.”
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