Breast augmentation surgeries are among the most common cosmetic operations worldwide. They can be applied to women with small, asymmetric, sagging breasts or damaged breast area due to health, congenital reasons, or accidents. Breast sizes can be altered to the extent desired by the individual and deemed appropriate by the cosmetic surgeon. The operation is performed either by injecting fat or by inserting silicone implants. The decision on which method to use is made by the doctor, evaluating the patient’s breast and mammary structure. The permanence of fat injections is somewhat low, and for this reason, breast augmentation surgery can be repeated. Silicone implants are more commonly chosen, but they also raise questions like whether breast silicone causes cancer or if breast implants are harmful.
Are Breast Implants Harmful?
Breast implants are generally divided into two types: round and teardrop-shaped. The choice of which implant to use is made by the physician, taking into account the patient’s chest cage, posture, body structure, and the patient’s desires. The implantation procedure can be performed through an incision under the breast, around the nipple, or under the armpit. The choice of method is also determined by the doctor. In all three methods, the milk ducts are not damaged, and there will be no issues with breastfeeding in the future. However, the under-breast incision is often preferred because the operation scar becomes invisible within the breast fold.
Advancements in technology have led to developments in breast implant manufacturing. The risks associated with breast implants are minimal. After silicone implant surgery, a capsule may form around the implant, although this is rare. This is a natural reaction of the body. The immune system perceives silicone breasts as a foreign substance and forms a capsule around it to protect itself. However, this can be treated quickly with the recommendations provided by the physician.
Do Breast Implants Trigger Cancer?
Silicone is an element found in nature, and there is no scientific evidence to suggest it is harmful to health. Silicone is not dissolved or absorbed by the body. Therefore, over time, silicone breast implants do not melt, mix into the bloodstream, and do not have the effect of poisoning or creating cancer cells. Silicone implants do not contain any substances harmful to health, and new-generation breast silicones are designed as cohesive gel. Cohesive gel is not fluid; it’s soft and can easily take on a form. Even if the silicone is damaged due to external factors, it does not leak; there is no possibility of bursting or puncturing. Breast implants, designed to be highly durable, can be comfortably used for a lifetime.
Is Cancer More Difficult to Diagnose in Silicone Breasts?
Approximately 1 month after silicone breast surgery, the swelling decreases, and the implants begin to soften. For the first few months, the breast implants are slightly noticeable. However, after a while, the implants fully take the shape of the breast and adapt to the body, providing an original breast feeling. One of the most concerning issues regarding silicone implants is the difficulty in diagnosing breast cancer. A method called mammography is used for breast cancer screening, and distinguishing cancer masses from silicones in this method can become challenging. Regular check-ups are crucial for early diagnosis of breast cancer, which is of great importance, and if you have undergone silicone breast surgery, you must inform the technician performing the mammography. In such cases, additional images are taken for a more detailed examination of the breasts, and extra methods can be applied for potential cancer risk.
Applying the correct method for breast augmentation surgery is very important for both patient satisfaction and health. You can contact one of the country’s best surgeons, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeon Op. Dr. Sedat Baş, and his experienced team for more detailed information about breast augmentation surgery and silicone implants.
