Systemic Symptoms: Biospecimen Analysis Study |
The ASERF Scientific Research Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the following grant award: Although it is accepted that there is an association between textured breast implants and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, there is no current definitive epidemiologic evidence to support a direct link between breast implants and any autoimmune disorders at this time. However, there are an increasing number of women who are pursuing an explantation because of what is being referred to as “breast implant illness” ("BII"), a term originating from a social media group used to describe a collection of nonspecific systemic symptoms thought to be caused by breast implants. As of 2018, there were over 80,000 women on the two main Facebook sites, Breast Implant Illness and Healing and Breast Implant Victim Advocacy. Reported symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, chest pain, hair loss, headaches, arthralgias, allergies, easy bruising, heartburn, decreased sex drive, gastrointestinal upset, heart palpitations, hot flashes, infections, night sweats, heat/cold intolerance, migraines, anxiety, swelling, tinnitus, weight gain, chronic muscle/joint pain, rash, body odor, brain fog, sleep disturbance, depression, cognitive dysfunction, hormone imbalances, dry eyes and skin changes. In the majority of patients, objective markers, such as serologic abnormalities are absent. There is no established pathophysiologic explanation or diagnostic test for "breast implant illness"; it is not a recognized medical disease at this time. |