The silicone controversy - when will science prevail?

Article Abstract:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a moratorium on the use of silicone-gel breast implants in Jan 1992. The FDA became responsible for ensuring the safety of medical devices in 1976. Silicone is an inorganic substance that was first used in medicine during World War II. In the 1990s, it is used in a wide variety of US medical products. Silicone-gel breast implants cause a fibrous reaction in tissue, which increases breast firmness. Concern has arisen that women with silicone implants may have an increased risk of breast cancer, or that breast cancer may be more difficult to detect in these women. Other fears are that they may increase the risk of connective tissue diseases or autoimmune disorders. Microscopic drops of silicone may pass through the encapsulating membrane, or the implant might rupture. More scientific evidence needs to be gathered about the health risks of silicone implants. Many women with silicone implants are frightened by the FDA's decision, and many have had their implants removed.

Laws, regulations and rules, Column, United States. Food and Drug Administration

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Breast implants and breast cancer - reanalysis of a linkage study

Article Abstract:

The rate of breast cancer among women with breast implants may be equal to the rate among the general population. In 1992, a study reported that the incidence of breast cancer was lower among women who had undergone breast augmentation than among the general population. The data from this study were reanalyzed. The data was from Alberta Health Care and the Alberta Cancer Registry. Upon reanalysis, these data were used to identify 10,835 women who had had breast implants between October 1, 1973 and December 31, 1986. Of these women, 45 were diagnosed with breast cancer during between October 1, 1973 and December 31, 1990. The incidence ratios were as follows: 0.81 for cancer diagnosed 1 year after implantation, 0.85 for cancers diagnosed after 5 years, and 0.68 for cancers diagnosed after 10 years. The original study had found an incidence ratio of 0.16 for 10 years after implantation.

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Breast augmentation: a risk factor for breast cancer?

Article Abstract:

Silicon breast implants may not increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Concern has arisen that women who have silicon or polyurethane breast implants may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than other women. A comparison of 11,676 women who received silicone breast implants to 13,557 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer found that 41 women developed breast cancer after undergoing breast augmentation surgery, which was almost half the expected number. Eighty-six percent of the women in the implant group were under 40-years-old, but 91.6% of those in the breast cancer group were over 40-years-old at the time of diagnosis. Women who received breast implants were followed for an average of 10.2 years, and the average length of time between breast augmentation surgery and diagnosis with breast cancer was 7.5 years.

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