Breast Implant Patient Preferences Topic Of New FDA Study

The US agency’s study will look at how the potential cancer risk tied to textured breast implants, as well as other factors, play into how patients decide what type of implants to get.

Close-up photo of doctor showing silicone implant to woman during consultation . — • Source: Shutterstock

Textured breast implants offer some benefits over smooth implants, such as a more natural shape to the breast and a lowered risk of painful internal scarring. However, they also carry a small but significant increase to the risk a patient will develop a rare cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. In response, the US Food and Drug Administration is developing a patient survey to see how women considering the devices balance their competing risks and benefits.

According to a 13 June update to the FDA’s webpage on the risks and complications of breast implants, the...