Breast cancer research

A new study, published by the British Medical Journal, reports on new findings in breast cancer survival:

A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that breast implants seem to affect the survival of women who are subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. The authors of the study stress that these findings are to be interpreted with caution as more research is needed.

Dr Caitlin Palframan, from leading breast cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: 

“We agree with the authors as the findings of this study need to be taken with caution. Although it shows reduced breast cancer survival rates among women who had breast implants at the time of diagnosis, the findings are not conclusive and more research is definitely needed before we can fully understand the effect of breast implants on survival.

“We know there is some concern about whether breast implants make breast cancer more difficult to detect by mammogram, which could delay diagnosis, so we encourage women attending mammograms to inform their screening service that they have breast implants to ensure that all breast tissue is completely examined.

“Early detection offers the best chance of successful treatment, so we urge every woman with or without implants to be breast aware by regularly checking their breasts for any changes.”

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