Breast Implants Don't Increase Brain Cancer Risk

Newswise — The best available scientific evidence shows no increased risk of brain cancer among women with silicone breast implants, reports a study in the February Annals of Plastic Surgery. "Our results, based on the highest-quality incidence data, rule out any increase in brain cancer risk after breast implant surgery," said Joseph K. McLaughlin, Ph.D., and Loren Lipworth, Sc.D., of the International Epidemiology Institute.

Drs. McLaughlin and Lipworth pooled data from four long-term follow-up studies of brain cancer risk after cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. The studies included nearly 10,500 women with breast implants, some followed up for as long as 29 years.

Just 12 of the women developed brain cancer. This compared with an expected 9.6 cases of brain cancer, based on population statistics. The difference between observed and expected cases was not statistically significant.

The findings contradict a 2001 study suggesting that women with breast implants are at more than double the risk of death from brain cancer. However, that study had several major weaknesses, particularly its reliance on death certificates as the only source of information on the presence of brain cancer.

In contrast, the new "meta-analysis" is based mainly on studies from Scandinavian countries, including complete medical records and long-term follow-up in a very large group of patients. "Even at the upper boundary of our summary estimate, our results rule out any 2-fold or greater excess of brain cancer incidence among women with breast implants," Drs. McLaughlin and Lipworth conclude.

In 1992, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed a moratorium on the use of silicone implants for cosmetic breast enhancement, citing concerns over autoimmune disorders, cancers, and other claimed harmful effects. None of the many studies performed since that time has shown convincing evidence that breast implants increase the risk of any type of cancer, including breast cancer or brain cancer.

The new study comes on the heels of a January 8 decision by the FDA to deny one manufacturer's application to put silicone breast implants back on the market. Drs. McLaughlin and Lipworth note that, "Our results add to the large body of scientific evidence finding no increased risk of brain cancer or other diseases in women with breast implants."

"Breast Implants Don't Increase Brain Cancer Risk"Annals of Plastic SurgeryJanuary, 2004