Women who undergo breast reconstruction with silicone implants after cancer treatment do not face an increased risk of autoimmune or rheumatic diseases, according to a major Dutch study involving more than 12,000 patients.
The research, led by the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital and conducted across six medical centers in the Netherlands, analyzed data from women treated for breast cancer between 2000 and 2015. It found no higher incidence of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus among those who received silicone implants compared to those who did not.
“Many women considering breast reconstruction worry that silicone implants might make them sick,” said Jonathan Spoor, a physician-researcher at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. “These results are reassuring—not only for women thinking about reconstruction but also for those who already have implants.”
The study adds to growing evidence about the long-term safety of silicone implants in breast cancer survivors. Earlier work by the same research team showed no increased risk of symptoms commonly attributed to breast implant illness, including fatigue, joint and muscle pain, memory issues, sleep disturbances, and low mood.
While the findings are positive regarding autoimmune and rheumatic conditions, researchers noted that a small but known risk remains for a rare form of lymphoma linked to silicone implants. However, they emphasized that this risk remains very low.
In the Netherlands, an estimated 200,000 women between the ages of 20 and 70 have breast implants, with about a quarter receiving them as part of reconstruction after a mastectomy due to breast cancer or genetic predisposition.
The results, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, aim to help women make more informed decisions about reconstructive options following breast cancer surgery.
