Implants: News and questions about recalls

Hi Huey,
Given the recent alerts and new articles, I can imagine your concern about breast implants and the development of breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), an uncommon cancer of the immune system.

Here are some evidence-based articles to help you unpack the media information:
- Is there any connection between breast implants and cancer? And if so, how serious is the risk? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/expert-answers/breast-implants-and-cancer/faq-20057774 by Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic expert
- Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm239995.htm FDA Report
- Breast Implants Have Been Linked to a Rare Cancer in Even More Cases https://www.sciencealert.com/more-cancer-cases-have-now-been-linked-to-breast-implants-reports-fda Science Alert

Here are some of the key points:
- The exact nature of the link between implants and ALCL, or even if the relationship is strictly causative, is yet to be convincingly established.
- While research continues to dig further for answers, health organisations are calling for caution.
- Not all implants seem to carry the same risks.

@huey, do you have implants? Have you talked to your surgeon about them?

Yes, I have implants and will talk to my surgeon at my next appt

Hi I to had breast implants for 23years I got very sick fungus infection c-diff pain in lymph nodes bacteria infection the list goes on I explained 10 days ago on the road to recovery this illness is silent

Hi, did you have them removed?

Yes 10 days ago I

Has anyone dealt with the Allergan recalled implant? Did you opt to remove it or are you in a wait and see holding pattern?
Kind of dreading another surgery, but also don't want to contract the llymphoma which I now am at risk of developing.

Hi @cindy1ann, welcome to the Breast Cancer group. I can understand your quandary of deciding whether or not to remove the implant or wait and see. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about the Allergan recall "Implants: News about recalls from Allergan." I did this so you can connect with @huey @gina1963 @conniep79 and others who have faced the same dilemma.

According to the June 2020 FDA safety communication (https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-requests-allergan-voluntarily-recall-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-and-tissue), they suggest:
"If you have no symptoms, we are not recommending the removal of these or other types of breast implants due to the low risk of developing BIA-ALCL. However, if you have any questions, talk to your health care provider."

Have you talked about the potential risk specifically to you with your oncologist?

Thank you for directing me to the correct group for my concern.
I am following up with my Mayo Clinic providers in the Breast cancer area and the Plastic surgery clinic as well annually.
I was not so concerned when I first heard of the recall on my implant but am now looking into this issue a bit more. I want a long and healthy life in my retirement years. Thought others with this issue may have weighed in on their decisions to wait and see or prophylactically replace the implant.