Growing Cancer Risks in Certain Implants: Survivors take Action

8/22- Mrs. Jennifer Hunt of Long Island is an 8 year breast cancer survivor turned advocate for breast cancer awareness and a fundraiser for LI2DAY. She is also the co-founder of a Long Island based patient support resource (Fight Cancer Like a Girl) working with newly diagnosed women on Long Island.

Since 2011, the FDA identified a confirmed link to a specific type of breast implant and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL - a form of cancer of the immune system called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. BIA-ALCL may arise within 7-8 years after the insertion of breast implants with textured surfaces. Half of the reported cases were diagnosed with persistent SEROMA, a buildup of fluid around the implant region (see image) and presenting symptoms of swelling, pain, and redness and breast asymmetry of the affected breast.

After her final surgery to eliminate breast cancer with a double mastectomy, Mrs. Hunt opted for breast implants from her treatment center (in an undisclosed NYC Cancer Center). In June of this year, she received a letter from her oncologist alerting about a "possible rare cancer" that has been linked to her specific implant type. Upon her own personal investigation, she found this was an ongoing worldwide problem for quite some time. "It has been kept quiet to apparently not raise major panic in the community," says Mrs. Hunt- while finding more and more stories of diagnosed women from social media groups, news articles and government statistics.

As a public cancer activist, she initiated her own plan starting with a line-up of what she calls her "cancer crusaders." Her first step was to get the advisement of specialized doctors including Dr. Jesse Stoff (Integrative Medicine of NY, Westbury)-- a recognized medical expert in clinical cancer care and a leading medical authority in Onco-Immunology with an extensive history handling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Dr. Stoff himself was involved in the major legal battle with Dow Corning in the mid-90's when their breast implants were found to rupture, causing auto-immune diseases and secondary cancers. "I've had a few of these cases recently", states Dr. Stoff. "...the skin of the implant (itself) is toxic. And the body tries to wall it off and build a capsule around the implant, but some of the chemicals can leech into the capsule or through the capsule and trigger a cancer."

Mrs. Hunt is also pursuing the advanced imaging help of pioneer cancer diagnostic specialist, Dr. Robert Bard (NYC) to perform an in-depth study of the exact condition of her implant area for traces of seroma and for other abnormalities leading to possible health risks. Dr. Bard is recognized worldwide for his contributions to the advancement of digital screening technology and his record in detecting tumors and cancerous cysts. "Fluid build up may be easily imaged by 3D sonography although it can be detected by MRI scans as well. Under ultrasound guidance, fluid may be aspirated and analyzed in real time without rupturing the implant or puncturing nearby arteries."

This potential cancer risk is a significant issue in the reported 300,000+ women in the US (since 2016) who have had breast implants. Though only 9 deaths have been recorded so far, a growing number of cases are showing symptoms of BIA-ALCL worldwide and more women are now taking preventative and life-saving action from this problem. " Had I been told there was a risk of this when I chose to get implants, I would have never picked them... and meanwhile, my plastic surgeon no longer takes my insurance and won’t see me unless I pay out of pocket and I don’t think it’s fair that I should have to pay out of pocket to fix a problem that I didn’t cause," says Mrs. Hunt.

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Additional References:

1) https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asj-study-puts-the-risk-of-death-from-breast-implant-associated-anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma-into-plain-perspective-for-patients-300508556.html

2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5828403/
3) https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm241086.htm
4) https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm239995.htm
5) https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/health-policy/bia-alcl-physician-resources/by-the-numbers
6) https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm258564.htm
7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28481803
8) https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/cancer-risk-spikes-with-one-type-of-breast-implant--and-bacteria-are-to-blame-20170512-gw3bbe.html
9) ALCL In Women With Breast Implants BIA-ALCL:https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALCLinwomenwithbreastimplants/

10) Breastcancernyc.com (Breast diagnostic imaging)

11 www.awarenessforacure.org (Awareness for a Cure)

12) www.IMOFNY.com (Integrative Medicine of NY)