If you have been keeping track of the news lately, you may have heard about a dire warning linking breast implants with Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma or ALCL. An initial link between the two was first established back in 2011, resulting in the medical community’s continuing education about any possible risks patients may have. While these concerns should be considered for all patients, there is additional risk for women with breast implants.
Cases of BIAL
The reports of Breast Implant-Associated Lymphoma, or BIAL, often refer to the sale of texture breast implants. This type of implant is not commonly used in the United States and only makes up approximately 10% of all implant procedures. The New York Times previously reported that there have been more than 600 cases of BIAL in the world, with 265 of those cases taking place in the United States alone. This sounds scary at first, but when considering that there are over 10 million implant procedures done, the rate of risk drops drastically. While texture implants are rarely done in the US, they can be up to 80% of implants in other countries.
What It Means
There are risks to any cosmetic procedure on the market, including breast implants. The FDA has cleared the continued sale of breast implants so you can rest easy. Continued research will show more concrete evidence on any link between breast implants and BIAL and ALCL. Proposed changes from the FDA may possibly include a black box warning label that will be easy for patients to understand. Physicians may also be required to inform their patients of any possible risks that breast implants can have on the body prior to their procedure. Finally, the FDA will prohibit breast implant manufacturers from filing any reports of adverse effects that are unobtainable to the public. Change can be a good thing and providing our patients with the most up-to-date knowledge can help you make the right choice.
A Breast Augmentation Procedure in St Louis Done Right
At the Laser Lipo & Vein Center we take all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe breast augmentation procedure in St Louis. We utilize the much safer natural breast enhancement with autologous fat grafting procedure. Our patients are provided all the critical knowledge during their free consultation, where we review any possible risks no matter how small they are and make sure they are the perfect candidate for breast enhancement. Give us a call and see how Dr. Wright and his associates can provide you with the safest natural breast enhancement procedure in St. Louis.
