Australia is facing ‘tsunami’ of breast cancer associated with textured implants, experts say

AUSTRALIAN medical experts are preparing for a huge increase of breast implant associated cancer cases due to the explosion in cosmetic surgery rates.

EXCLUSIVE

AUSTRALIA will be facing a tsunami of breast implant associated cancer cases in coming years due to the explosion in cosmetic surgery rates from 2010.

Nearly 40,000 women a year are now having breast implants fitted, this is up from around 20,000 implants in 2010.

What most concerns experts is the fact that the majority of women are being fitted with the textured implants associated with cancer.

The surge in implants began in 2010 and picked up pace in 2013 shortly after controversial discount provider The Cosmetic Institute opened its doors in 2012 offering breast implants for around $6000.

MORE: Cancer linked to breast implants, surgeons warn

MORE: Breast Cancer Network Australia turns 20

MORE: Women with metastatic breast cancer to get subsidy for two lifesaving pills

Monique Bock, developed a rare cancer linked to the implants and wants them banned. Picture: AAP/ Ric Frearson

This provider used the textured implants associated with cancer and is understood to have been able to get them at discounted prices because of the large volume it ordered.

Research shows the cancer takes around 7.5 years to develop and experts say the surge in cases reported this year is the first indication of a coming tidal wave.

“What I’m concerned about is that in the next two to three years there will be a tsunami of cases linked to discount providers,” warned Professor Anand Deva.

Discount providers are already in the spotlight after a Health Care Complaints Commission inquiry in 2015 found six of The Cosmetic Institute’s patients had suffered life-threatening complications, including seizures and cardiac arrest.

Two women, Amy Rickhuss, 24, and a 42-year-old, needed resuscitation on the operating table and had to be rushed to hospital.

The Cosmetic Institute went into liquidation in October 2016.

In 2017, hundreds of women joined a class action against the provider alleging negligence during breast augmentation procedures left them disfigured and some with life-threatening complications.

Professor Anand Deva with breast implants implicated in cancer. Picture: Supplied

The US medical regulator the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that most of the 16 women worldwide who died from breast implant associated cancer received a delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment.

This is why experts believe it is imperative women with the implants are checked every 12 months.

Two patients who died from the cancer were killed by their aggressive treatment which involved stem cell transplants, and 13 patients died when the cancer moved into their chest wall causing respiratory failure, the FDA said.

None of the patients who died had the recommended complete removal of the implants and capsule surrounding them.