Breast augmentation is the second most commonly performed aesthetic surgery procedure globally. It is sought by women to improve their body proportions, thereby improving their self confidence and quality of life. Though breast augmentation can be done using implants or an individual’s own fat; the former is the most common method of breast augmentation. The latest data of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) for year 2023 published last month states that 18,92,777 women underwent breast augmentation globally using silicone implants. Out of these approximately 47,690 breast augmentations were performed in India (data until 30 June 2023).
A common question that I encounter from all my patients undergoing breast implants is that , “Does breast augmentation using implants increase the risk of breast cancer?” The answer to that question is a firm NO as there are no literature about the data or research to suggest this as of yet. The common breast cancers, ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma that arise in the breast parenchyma have not been seen in patients with breast implants, though silicone implants have been around for more than 6 decades now. Even from the initial decade, when breast implants were new and prone to complications like rupture and leaking of silicone; there have been no case reports of them causing breast cancer. These days we use highly evolved 5th generation silicone implants that do not suffer from problems like rupture or leaks that were seen in the initial days.
