Cancerbackup: Q-942

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Alison

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Five years ago I had a silicone breast implant after surgery for breast cancer. My surgeon said my implant was for life but a friend has told me they should be changed every ten years. Is this right?

There was a 'scare' about silicone implants a few years ago but these worries have now been proven false and they are perfectly safe, even in the long term.

Sometimes, however, they can cause problems. The two commonest troubles are leakage of silicone from the implant (which leads to a change in the  shape of the breast) or the formation of a rigid capsule around the implant (which may make it feel harder, alter the breast contour or cause some discomfort). If either of these difficulties occur the usual solution is to have the implant replaced.

So long as there are no problems then there is absolutely no reason to change an implant and many women never need to have a replacement.

So unless you do develop any complications there is no need for a 'routine' change of your implant after 10 years.


Content last reviewed: 25 January 2006
Page last modified: 26 January 2006

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