The Truth About Breast Implant Illness

Nearly 400,000 women in America undergo breast augmentation surgery. Some surgeries are for reconstruction after breast cancer treatment, while others are for cosmetic reasons. In fact, breast implant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures.

Unfortunately, thousands of those women develop health problems and systemic illnesses that they believe were caused by breast implants.

This phenomenon is so common that those who suffer from the illness have named it Breast Implant Illness (BII). Many doctors and researchers note that there is no definitive link between the implants and the health conditions. So, does that mean no proof exists at all?

What is breast implant illness (BII)?

Breast implant illness describes an array of autoimmune symptoms that may be caused by breast implants. It is not a recognized medical diagnosis. Women with BII may experience a broad range of symptoms that result in the diagnosis of multiple autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Lupus, and Polymyositis or Dermatomyositis.

The symptoms rarely appear as a specific autoimmune disorder. Occasionally, the symptoms appear within a year of receiving breast implants. However, most cases occur much later, and many women wait until the symptoms become severe before seeking medical care.