Chicago — Cosmetic and plastic surgeons’ associations continue to say breast implants are safe, following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement of a possible association with a rare cancer.
Meanwhile, the associations support plans to step up reporting of complications and cancer in patients who receive the implants. The FDA announced in late January that it had uncovered a possible, although rare, link between implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) notes that it recently established a new taskforce on safety in cosmetic surgery and will continue to update its safety guidelines for cosmetic breast surgery and other cosmetic procedures.
“Our academy is also implementing a new database reporting system for our members, which will benefit the public in these matters by adding valuable data on cancer incidence or complications related to breast implants,” the AACS stated.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is establishing a national registry for breast implants in collaboration with the FDA.
“ASPS shares the FDA’s commitment to patient safety, but we also want to make certain this information does not raise false alarms with our patients,” stated ASPS President Phillip Haeck, M.D.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery said it supports the new registry and also shares the view that breast implants are safe.
