Are Breast Implants Safe?

In January of this year, the FDA released a statement announcing a possible tie between saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants and the development of a rare type of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Since then, understandably, many women who have implants—or who wish to get them—have become nervous about what this means for them. So are breast implants safe? According to the FDA’s recent update, yes. On June 22nd, after conducting further research into the potential connection between ALCL and implants, the FDA gave breast implants their stamp of approval once more. In the course of their investigation, they found that out of the 5-10 million women worldwide who have received breast implants, only 60 cases of ALCL have been identified. Based on these numbers, the FDA has concluded that the risk of ALCL is very small—so small that there is no reason not to continue to support breast implants as safe and effective.

This doesn’t mean that after you receive your implants, you don’t have to give health a second thought; it’s important to monitor your breasts carefully over the years. As long as the proper measures are taken to protect your health, however, breast augmentation should be nothing but a positive thing for you—and with these new updates from the FDA, we can all breathe a little easier knowing that the risk associated with implants is so low.