Research suggests a link between certain textured breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer. It is a cancer of the immune system that can develop in the tissue around a breast implant.
Role of Health Canada
Health Canada is the agency responsible for assessing the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical devices such as breast implants, and for authorizing their sale in Canada. In 2019, Health Canada suspended the licences for Allergan’s Biocell breast implants, the only macro-textured implants available in Canada.
Since then, Health Canada has been keeping a watch on all new and confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL in the country.
For more information, or to sign up for breast implant updates, visit the Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) – Canadian Surveillance 2022 Data 
webpage at Canada.ca
Declaration of cases
Health Canada requiresany new cases to be reported. To do so, fill out the Consumer Medical Device Report Form .
People who have textured breast implants
In 2019, at the time Allergan’s licences were suspended, an estimated 145,000 people in Québec had breast implants. Less than 10% are believed to be textured breast implants. Textured implants may have been used for implant revision, breast reconstruction after total or partial mastectomy, or cosmetic surgery.
Risks
As of December 31, 2022, Health Canada estimated the risk of developing BIA-ALCL in patients with macro-textured breast implants at 1 in 1,475, which is considered rare. For patients with micro-textured implants, the risk is 1 in 19,412, which is considered very rare.
As of December 2022, there have been no confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL in people with smooth breast implants. Note that other types of lymphomas and certain squamous carcinomas have been reported either in the scientific literature or directly to Health Canada. These types of cancer have been reported for both smooth and textured implants, and for both saline and silicone implants. Health Canada continues to monitor the situation .
Preventive measures
In 2019, after Health Canada suspended the licences for Biocell implants, Québec public health and social services institutions reviewed their patient records. Patients with textured breast implants were contacted as a preventive measure.
It is important to note that removing breast implants is not recommended if there are no signs or symptoms suggesting BIA-ALCL. You can discuss the risks and benefits of removing an implant with your health care professional.
Symptoms to monitor
Complications can occur several years after breast implant surgery. In BIA-ALCL, symptoms generally appear around 8 to 10 years after surgery.
If you have breast implants, talk to your surgeon, oncologist, or family doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- swelling or enlargement of the breast, with or without pain
- tightening or hardening of the breast
- a mass in the breast or underarm
- skin rash (erythema, change in breast skin colour)
Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend screening or diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, a biopsy, or a cytology (fine needle aspiration) test.
You should check your breasts regularly for unusual changes and discuss any signs or symptoms with your health care professional or Info-Santé 811.
How to access your medical record
If you are unsure whether you have textured breast implants, you can find the information in your medical record. Contact the institution or private clinic where you had your surgery to access your record.
If your doctor is retired or deceased, and you had your surgery at a private clinic, contact the Collège des médecins du Québec to find out who has custody of your medical record.
Collège des médecins du Québec
514-933-4441
1-888-MÉDECIN (633-3246) (toll free number)
To check the status of your physician, you can also consult the Physicians Directory on the Collège des médecins du Québec website.
Last update: November 17, 2023
