Robert Whitfield MDAmerica's Breast Implant Illness Expert™

Understanding Rare Breast Implant-Associated Cancers

14 Dec 2024 · 1 min

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0:40

Robert Whitfield MD explains that breast implant–associated cancers are extremely rare and typically present with unilateral swelling due to fluid around the implant, which can be tested. He emphasizes that ordinary breast cancer is far more common (about one in eight women) and shares a patient anecdote (Tiffany Blackman) in which early breast cancer was detected and referred for follow-up.

Questions this video answers

With unilateral swelling—fluid around the implant that can be tested.

One in eight women.

Tiffany Blackman.

Chapters

The questions that people are concerned about is like, am I going to get one of these cancers? Well, the breast implant associated cancers are extremely rare and they present a certain way. Usually swelling will be on one side, so there'll be fluid around it and you can test it. But what I see more commonly is, as you should, breast cancer, because it's far more common. One in eight women will end up having breast cancer. And if you send everything off and catch it early, which I have this great patient, Tiffany Blackman, we found her really early breast cancer. This is very disconcerting to her. And now she just has to get her follow up.