10 Debunked Myths and Factual Truths on Breast Cancer and Breast Implants

Making a decision about your body is not something to be taken lightly, whether it is for treatment or a cosmetic procedure. In this decision and research process a lot of questions come to mind and finding the answers may not be as easy. Considering the amount of sources we encounter, deciphering if a piece of information is real or not can get tricky.

That’s why we want to give you the power to know accurate and reliable information, so you can make an informed choice that makes you feel safe.

Here are 10 myths and truths on breast implants link to breast cancer:

1. Debunked Myth: Breast implants cause breast cancer.

   • Fact: So, are breast implants really related to breast cancer? Extensive research shows no direct link between smooth breast implants and an increased risk of breast cancer. However, certain rare types of lymphoma, not breast cancer, such as BIA-ALCL ( Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), have been associated with textured implants in the tissue or fluid near the breast implant ^1,2.

2. Debunked Myth: Implants make lumps and masses more difficult to detect.

   • Fact: While implants may make detection slightly more complex, modern imaging techniques and specialized mammography views enable effective cancer screening ².

3. Debunked Myth: If I have breast implants, I can’t get accurate mammograms.

   • Fact: Mammograms can still be effective with breast implants, but additional views or techniques may be necessary³. MRI is recommended for more detailed screenings in some cases and should be discussed with your doctor.

4. Debunked Myth: I can’t self-exam with breast implants

   • Fact: Women with implants can and should perform regular breast self-exams. Implants are placed under or above the chest muscle, allowing for adequate palpation of the breast tissue. You can also, ask your surgeon to help you identify the edges of your implants to know how they feel and where your breast tissue is ⁴.

5. Debunked Myth: Only textured breast implants cause cancer.

   • Fact: Textured implants (non-breast cancer) have been linked to BIA-ALCL and to date, there have been no reported primary cases with smooth devices⁵.

6. Debunked Myth: Breast reconstruction is unsafe.

   • Fact: Every surgical procedure comes with potential risks to the patient. If reconstruction with a tissue expander is selected, studies have shown that breast reconstruction with a Motiva Flora^® Tissue Expander offers safer results and lower complication rates with an aesthetic, soft look ⁶.

7. Debunked Myth: You can’t get breast implants if you have a family history of breast cancer.

   • Fact: Having a family history of breast cancer does not disqualify you from getting implants, but you should discuss your risk factors with your surgeon ⁷.

8. Debunked Myth: Breast reconstruction looks unnatural.

   • Fact: Medical technology has advanced allowing for more aesthetic outcomes for breast reconstruction. Ask your surgeon about the Motiva Flora^® SmoothSilk Tissue Expander that was developed for a softer, natural-looking result^8,9.

9. Debunked Myth: You can’t get breast implants after a mastectomy.

   • Fact: After mastectomy, many women choose to have breast implants which can provide both physical and psychological benefits^8,9,10.

10. Debunked Myth: If my breast implant ruptures, I will get cancer.

    • Fact: While breast implants are not linked with an increased risk of breast cancer, you should fully discuss all the benefits and risks of breast implants with your physician in order to make an informed decision ^11,12.

If you have any more questions regarding breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, feel free to find a Motiva^® Surgeon here.

1. Mayo Clinic. “Breast implants and cancer: Any connection?” Updated July 2024.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/expert-answers/breast-implants-and-cancer/faq-20057774

2. FDA. “Questions and Answers about Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)”. 2019. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/questions-and-answers-about-breast-implant-associated-anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma-bia-alcl

3. American Cancer Society. “Mammograms for women with breast implants” Updated January 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/mammograms-for-women-with-breast-implants.html#:~:text=%EF%BB%BF-,Do%20all%20women%20with%20breast%20implants%20need%20mammograms%3F,mastectomy%20before%20getting%20the%20implants)

4. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “Breast Self Awareness and Breast Self Exam” Updated 2024. https://shs.uncg.edu/breast/#:~:text=Women%20with%20breast%20implants%20can,make%20it%20easier%20to%20examine

5. Cleveland Clinic. “BIA-ALCL: Breast Implant-Associated Cancer, Symptoms & Treatment.” Updated 2024.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21078-bia-alcl

6. Fairchild et al. “Safety and Efficacy of Smooth Surface Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction”. Updated January 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7317085/

7. Trivalley Plastic Surgery. “Should I not get breast implants due to my family history of breast cancer?” https://www.trivalleyplasticsurgery.com/resources/patient-questions/should-i-not-get-breast-implants-due-to-my-family-history-of-breast-cancer/#:~:text=The%20Results%20*%20The%20NCI%20researchers,any%20particular%20type%20of%20implant

8. Stillaert, Filip B. J. L. MD; Lannau, Bernd MD; Van Landuyt, Koenraad MD, PhD; Blondeel, Phillip N. MD, PhD. The Prepectoral, Hybrid Breast Reconstruction: The Synergy of Lipofilling and Breast Implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open 8(7):p e2966, July 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002966.

9. Schoberleitner I, Augustin A, Egle D, Brunner C, Amort B, Zelger B, Brunner A, Wolfram D. Is It All about Surface Topography? An Intra-Individual Clinical Outcome Analysis of Two Different Implant Surfaces in Breast Reconstruction. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 7;12(4):1315. doi: 10.3390/jcm12041315. PMID: 36835850; PMCID: PMC9967160.

10. Kidd, Thomas, et al. “Implant Reconstruction after Mastectomy–A Review and Summary of Current Literature.” Cancer Treatment and Research Communications (2024): 100821.

11. Mayo Clinic. “If a silicone breast implant ruptures, what possible health problems could it cause?” Updated July 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/expert-answers/breast-implants/faq-20058454#:~:text=Often%20there%20are%20no%20symptoms,disease%2C%20such%20as%20rheumatoid%20arthritis

12. FDA. “Risks and Complications of Breast Implants”. Update: December 14, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants#Connective_Tissue_Disease