The shocking cancer link behind a common cosmetic procedure that puts millions at risk

Some women who get breast implants could be up to 16 times more likely to develop a deadly blood cancer, a government-funded study suggests.
Around one in 500 women — the equivalent of 34million in the US — have a genetic mutation that appears to raise the risk of tumors forming in scar tissue around breast implants.
Known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), the cancer develops when the rough surface of textured breast implants triggers inflammation that damages DNA and causes cells to mutate into cancer cells.
Most patients survive if the implants are removed, but if left undetected it can spread elsewhere in the body and become deadly.
Dr Paula Ghione, lead researcher and lymphoma specialist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, said: 'If we look at the absolute numbers [seen in this study], it's still fairly rare.
'But the important thing to note is that when we look at women with this genetic predisposition, there is a big jump in the percentage with this lymphoma.'
Of the 300,000 US women who get breast implants every year, nine in 10 have smooth implants, which have not been associated with an increased cancer risk.
The women at risk of BIA-ALCL are those with mutations to their BRCA genes — sometimes dubbed the 'Angelina Jolie gene' — which significantly increases a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
In 2023, the latest data available, the FDA reported 1,264 cases of BIA-ALCL and 63 deaths in the US.
For their study, published in the journal Blood Advances, researchers followed 3,000 breast cancer survivors at MSKCC who had breast implants after a double mastectomy.
Double mastectomies are meant to stop breast cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
Of those, 520 were tested for BRCA mutations.
About eight percent of patients, 43, who were tested for BRCA mutations ended up being carriers.
After following the women for 12 years on average, the researchers found those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations had a 16-fold increased risk of BIA-ALCL. They also found women with BIA-ALCL were 'significantly' more likely to have BRCA mutations.
Dr Gione said: 'Our findings show that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are a significant risk factor for developing this type of lymphoma, confirming earlier suggestions of a possible role.
'It's possible that implant-associated lymphoma is yet another cancer that can arise because of these genetic mutations.'
Breast implants with textured surfaces, which can feel like sandpaper, are thought to create space where bacteria can accumulate and form biofilms, or collections of micro-organisms.
These harmful biofilms can trigger an inflammatory response, which damages DNA and causes cells to mutate into cancer cells.
Silicone in some implants may also lead to inflammation.
Because the risk of BIA-ALCL is so low, the FDA doesn't recommend having textured implants removed unless women experience symptoms, which include pain, lumps, swelling or unexpected changes in breast shape.
Dr Ghione said: 'The implants that are put in place now are theoretically safe; however, there are still a lot of women who are living with textured breast implants, so it's important that women know what implants they have and talk with their doctor and remember to report this surgery as part of their medical history.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mail​

29 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Walmart recalls item they warn to 'dispose of immediately' after reports of burn injuries

Walmart has recalled a range of electric blankets after reports they have caught fire and caused serious burns. The grocery giant has been forced to recalled the MaxKare Electric Blankets after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received reports from consumers that the blankets had overheated, caught fire and caused serious burn injuries. The blankets, available in brown and gray, were sold exclusively online by Walmart between June 2021 and November 2024. They came in twin, full, queen sizes costing between $27 to $80. The roughly 8,500 items effected by the recall notice will bear the model numbers HB18A-7284-1, HB18A-8490-2 or HB18A-6284-1 which can be found on the blanket's label. The retailer has urged anyone who bought the effected products to dispose of them immediately. Those that wish to seek refunds can contact the blanket's manufacturer Shenzhen Yumo Commerce. 'Walmart and Sam's Club are committed to the health and safety of our customers and members and to providing products that are safe and compliant, all supported by our health and wellness, product safety, and food safety professionals,' the retailer said in a statement regarding the latest recall. 'In the event of a product recall, we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs.' It comes as federal officials announced they have launched an investigation into the deaths of three people and a pregnancy loss connected to ready meals sold at retail giants Walmart and Kroger. Food distributor FreshRealm announced earlier this week that it would be recalling its chicken fettuccine alfredo products over listeria concerns. The US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is now investigating the outbreak, which has sickened 17 people in 13 states. The affected products include 32.8oz and 12.3oz trays of Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettucine pasta with best-by dates of June 26 and 27, 2025. Also included in the recall is 12.5oz trays of Home Chef Heat & Eat Chicken Fettucine Alfredo pasta with a best-by date of June 19,2025 or before. The meals are sold nationwide at Walmart, under the Marketside brand, and Kroger, under the Home Chef brand. A listeria infection usually causes fever, headache and diarrhea in most people, but it can be deadly for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Federal officials launched an investigation into the deaths of three people and a pregnancy loss connected to ready meals sold at Walmart Earlier this year Walmart was forced to recall its Marketside celery sticks from stores in 29 states over possible listeria contamination. The issue was discovered during a random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. A month later Walmart was also embroiled in another mass recall of canned tuna over a potentially fatal food poisoning risk. Tri-Union Seafoods announced the recall after its supplier informed the company that the cans' 'easy open' pull tab lids have a manufacturing defect.

Times

2 hours ago

• Times

My brother died at 33 — what I wish I'd known

I remember seeing the troubling spark of recognition in the psychologist's eyes when I told her that my late brother, Charlie, had schizophrenia. We were sitting in her office going through a never-ending pile of forms as part of my seven-year-old son Eddie's autism-assessment process, including my family history. 'Did you know,' she asked, 'that autism used to be known as childhood schizophrenia?' I remember the grating rough texture of the chair I was sitting on prickling against the back of my legs and feeling the inside of my stomach flip. We lost my big brother, Charlie, in 2004 when he was 33 and he hadn't had a particularly happy life. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 18 after a period of psychosis — he had been hearing voices and became convinced that a group of people were out to get him.

The Independent

4 hours ago

• The Independent

Popular children's cough medicine recalled over potentially deadly bacterial infection risk

A popular cough medicine for children has been recalled over a risk of bacterial infection that can be deadly. Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup was recalled Tuesday over the 'presence' of Bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses, and because of 'loss of shelf-stability,' according to a notice from the medicine makers, Medtech Products Inc. The recall describes the symptoms associated with both foodborne illnesses. One can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps starting one to six hours after consuming contaminated food. The second illness can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea starting 8 to 16 hours after exposure. 'Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death,' the recall notice warned. No serious adverse effects have been reported as of the date of the recall. The recalled cough syrup was sold by retailers throughout the country and online from December 14, 2022, to June 4, 2025. Consumers with the recalled medicine are advised to stop using it immediately and contact their doctor if they experience any symptoms that may be related to the product. The company is also offering a refund of the product.