You may have seen reports in the media about a relationship between certain types of breast implants and a rare type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (blood cancer) called Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).

Evidence from around the world, including Australia, indicates that textured breast implants can cause ALCL. As at 11 January this year, 76 cases have been reported in Australia in the last 13 years. Some of these have been women who have had implant reconstruction following breast cancer surgery, and others were women who had breast implants for cosmetic reasons.

Smooth implants have not been found to be associated with ALCL.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the independent body responsible for regulating medicines and medical devices and ensuring they are safe for use, is meeting this week to decide whether it should follow the lead of other regulators, including in France, and ban the use of textured implants.

We will keep you updated on the TGA’s decision via our website.

If you notice any sudden changes around your implant, such as new swelling or a lump, it is important to raise this with your doctor. If you are concerned about your implant/s, or are not sure if you have textured or smooth implants, you should contact your surgeon or the hospital where you had your reconstruction surgery.

For more information

• Read the ABC news article published on 8 April 2018.
• Read BCNA’s previous news item on ALCL.
• Visit the TGA website for the latest information and the TGA’s advice for women who have had breast implant surgery.