Study finds no link between silicone breast implants and breast implant illness symptoms
Research from the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital shows no connection between silicone breast implants and health complaints commonly associated with Breast Implant Illness (BII), a condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches, hair loss, and depression, NOS reports.
The study focused on women treated for breast cancer between 2000 and 2015 and compared those who had reconstructive surgery with silicone implants to women who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy without implants. More than 10,000 women were invited to participate, and 6,091 completed a detailed health questionnaire.
According to the results, about 20 percent of women in both groups reported experiencing four or more severe complaints linked to BII. The findings indicate that these symptoms occur at equal rates in women with and without silicone implants.
Jonathan Spoor, a medical researcher involved in the study, stated, “Our research shows no relationship between these complaints and silicone breast implants. Of course, women—regardless of implants—who experience health issues deserve recognition and understanding from their healthcare providers, and possible underlying causes should be investigated.”
The study excluded women with leaking implants, a known cause of complications.
Researchers note that the symptoms attributed to BII are common complaints in the general female population, including women without breast cancer or implants. The exact cause of these complaints remains unknown.
Floor van Leeuwen, the study’s lead epidemiologist, emphasized the ongoing importance of specialized silicone clinics such as the one at Amsterdam UMC. “Many women with symptoms worry about their silicone implants, whether they had breast augmentation or cancer-related reconstruction. It is crucial that these women are seen by doctors who can rule out other medical causes.”
The research involved collaboration with Erasmus MC, Maastricht UMC+, Zuyderland Medical Center, Medisch Spectrum Twente, and Ziekenhuisgroep Twente. The full study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
In the Netherlands, an estimated 200,000 women aged 20 to 70 have breast implants, about 25 percent of whom received implants after mastectomy due to cancer or hereditary risk.
