Review of "Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis in Augmented Women" Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 118: 587-593, 2006 by Neal Handel & Melvin J. Silverstein."
Frequently in my practice I am asked by many women who desire breast augmentation or who have already had a breast augmentation and now want a lift, removal and replacement, or surgery for capsular contracture the following question:
Do breast implants impair my ability to detect breast cancer or increase my risk of getting breast cancer?
To answer this question and as part of my own self study, I read and reviewed an article in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 118: 587-593, 2006 by Neal Handel & Melvin J. Silverstein. I present here notes which are helpful for my own self study as well as for patient education during consultation:
Background:
--Breast enlargement surgery is popular. More than 334,000 women underwent elective breast augmentation in 2004.
--A woman in the United States has a 1 in 7 (13.4 percent) lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
--There is no etiologic link between implants and breast tumors. Numerous studies show that the rate of breast cancer is not increased among augmented women, and some studies demonstrate lower than expected rates.
--However, because of the large number of women undergoing augmentation, there have been persistent concerns about possible adverse effects of implants on cancer detection and treatment.
Methods:
The authors reviewed their database of women with breast cancer and determined if there was a difference in breast cancer between augmented and non-augmented women.
Results:
--There was no statistically significant difference in stage of disease between augmented and non-augmented patients. The mean tumor size, recurrence rates, and breast cancer- specific survival were virtually identical in both groups.
--Augmented patients were more likely to present with palpable lesions.
Conclusion:
Augmented and nonaugmented patients are diagnosed at a similar stage of breast cancer and have a comparable diagnosis. While implants may impair mammography, they appear to facilitate detection of palpable breast cancers on physical examination.
Do breast implants impair my ability to detect breast cancer or increase my risk of getting breast cancer?
To answer this question and as part of my own self study, I read and reviewed an article in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 118: 587-593, 2006 by Neal Handel & Melvin J. Silverstein. I present here notes which are helpful for my own self study as well as for patient education during consultation:
Background:
--Breast enlargement surgery is popular. More than 334,000 women underwent elective breast augmentation in 2004.
--A woman in the United States has a 1 in 7 (13.4 percent) lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
--There is no etiologic link between implants and breast tumors. Numerous studies show that the rate of breast cancer is not increased among augmented women, and some studies demonstrate lower than expected rates.
--However, because of the large number of women undergoing augmentation, there have been persistent concerns about possible adverse effects of implants on cancer detection and treatment.
Methods:
The authors reviewed their database of women with breast cancer and determined if there was a difference in breast cancer between augmented and non-augmented women.
Results:
--There was no statistically significant difference in stage of disease between augmented and non-augmented patients. The mean tumor size, recurrence rates, and breast cancer- specific survival were virtually identical in both groups.
--Augmented patients were more likely to present with palpable lesions.
Conclusion:
Augmented and nonaugmented patients are diagnosed at a similar stage of breast cancer and have a comparable diagnosis. While implants may impair mammography, they appear to facilitate detection of palpable breast cancers on physical examination.
