Breast Plant’s Amongst TGD women: What You Need to Know
Breast Plant’s Amongst TGD women: What You Need to Know
We’re raising awareness amongst the community of a recent breast implant recall issued by the Department of Health in relation to an increase in breast implant associated lymphoma reported for Allergan Biocell® Breast Implants.
So What’s the Problem?
A rare kind of non-Hodgkins’s lymphoma associated with breast implant or by its technical term breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has caused Allergan Biocell® Breast Implants to be removed from use. Implants with a higher surface area and surface roughness (textured or polyurethane implants) like Allergan Biocell® Implants are associated with a significantly higher risk of developing BIA-ALCL. No cases of BIA-ALCL have been reported following confirmed use of only smooth breast implants.
What is BIA-ALCL?
Breast implant associated cancer is a rare type of cancer associated with the body’s immune system. It’s important to note that BIA-ALCL is not cancer that forms from the cells in the breast, but rather a cancer that forms and grows in the fluid and scar tissue around a breast implant. BIA-ALCL has been known to occur as soon as one year after the operation and as late as 37 years after the operation. The average time to diagnosis is within 8 years of the operation.
What are the common signs that I might have BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL usually presents as a lump in the breast due to a spontaneous build up of fluid sometime after surgery. Less commonly, symptoms may include pain; a rash on the breast; a lump in the breast; or an enlargement of the lymph nodes.
What do you do if you have concerns?
Firstly, it’s important to point out that trans and gender diverse people with Allergan Biocell® Breast Implants who don’t show any signs of lumps, rash, pain or swelling don’t require any treatment. Those who do, should contact their doctor. Generally, it is important to perform regular breast self-examination, just as if you were checking for breast cancer. In most cases, a lump in or around the breast will not be due to BIA‑ALCL, but it is important that patients who do find a lump see their doctor or implanting surgeon as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that all breast implants are considered to have a limited lifespan of 10 to 15 years and that the risk of complications such as rupture, hardness, loss of shape, or change in position may increase with time.
THE GENDER CENTRE TEAM
LINKS:
The Breast Implant Registry (BIR)
The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR)
