Breast Implant ‘Box Warning’ Changes Patients’ Perception

A new survey has found interesting results in women’s perceptions of breast implants.

After many discussions about breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in recent years, women’s awareness of risks associated with the popular plastic surgery procedure has grown.

However, breast augmentations are still one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures worldwide, which is why the US Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to provide greater transparency regarding breast implant safety in order for patients to be able to make educated decisions.

One of the FDA’s proposed changes was to include a box warning on implant labelling, and a new study shows the impact this small change can have on patients’ confidence.

The authors received 500 survey responses. At baseline, 353 participants (70.6 percent) considered breast implants to be at least somewhat safe. After viewing the proposed boxed warning, 252 participants (50.4 percent) responded that they would be less likely to receive implants. In fact, a significantly greater proportion of participants considered breast implants to be either unsafe or very unsafe after viewing suggested changes to implant labeling than at baseline. By the end of the survey, willingness to consider alternative options for breast augmentation/reconstruction increased significantly.

The results of this survey suggests that many women who undergo breast augmentation may not be sufficiently informed or aware of the risks involved, which begs the question: Are practitioners doing enough during their pre-op care and how can we better communicate risks involved in procedures to inform, but no scare patients?

What do you think? Are patients getting enough information about risks and side effects involved in a procedure? Let us know in the comments.

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