Are breast implants dangerous?

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QUESTION: Are breast implants dangerous?

ANSWER: Yes, a little.

As with almost any medical procedure or medication, breast implants come with a list of risks and potential side effects, many of which are rare but not unheard of. Breast implants – both silicone and saline – have been linked to various cancers, as well as to autoimmune diseases, joint pain, mental confusion, muscle aches and chronic fatigue.

One thing to note is that the cancer risk increases if the recipient has had, or will have, radiation or chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Traditionally, breast cancer survivors have been encouraged, after mammography, to get breast implants, but this might not be such a good idea, after all.

As with all things pertaining to your health and well-being, be sure to consult with your primary care provider before undertaking any kind of cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, including getting breast implants. The FDA now requires (as of 2021) breast implant manufacturers to disclose the ingredients used in them. Likewise, only those doctors who first review potential risks with their patients are allowed to sell them.