Are Breast Implants to Blame for Christina Hall's Health Issues?
- HGTV's Christina Hall, 39, previously wondered if her ongoing health issues were connected to her breast implants. Now, she’s preparing to get her implants removed.
- Doctors have detected a possible link between breast implants and cancer; specifically between implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a cancer of the immune system.
- Breast implant illness (BII) is a condition with symptoms that include fatigue, joint pain, memory and concentration problems, and more.
- Breast Implant Illness is a separate condition from the types of cancer which are rare that can develop in scar tissue and fluid surrounding a breast implant, including breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), other forms of lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Physicians consulted by SurvivorNet believe the data shared by the FDA does not conclusively tie breast cancer to implants and women with implants should not be alarmed.
- Some experts, however, do say that the fact that the cancers were found in the implant capsules does requires further investigation.
Speaking to E! News, the real estate investor and TV personality admitted she’s feeling “75 percent better” after doing a health cleanse.
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She explained, “My scan said I have mercury and lead poisoning. Most likely from all the gross houses I’ve been in (the bad flips) and I have mall intestine bacteria overgrowth. So we are first detoxing all of this through herbs and IVs and then see how I feel and tackle implants.”
Christina Hall’s Other Health Issues
Last Month, Hall took to Instagram to reveal she’s been wondering if her breast implants are to blame for her recent health issues. In a post she titled "Self-Care Saturday," she explained that she has been experiencing fatigue, along with several other health issues for multiple years; Hall speculated if her health issues are "breast implant related."
Doctors have detected a possible link between breast implants and cancer; specifically between implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a cancer of the immune system.
In the video Hall shared, she is seen laying on a bed and listening to a meditation as she receives LED light therapy. In the caption, Hall wrote, "Josh and I tag teaming 3 sick kids last night, this is a much-needed energy restore…Been super exhausted lately so [I'm] on a kick to get back into my body."
Hall noted that her health issues have been "unexplained" for years and admitted she is considering the reality that they may be related to her implants. Hall said that she dissolved her under-eye filler due to it causing an "inflammatory reaction” and asked the Instagram-verse if anyone else, especially women, have similar feelings about their implants. She added, "I'm curious on all the ladies take on this."
Hall then opened up about her constant health issues, which include: "Inflammation, autoimmune issues (Hashimoto's disease, PCOS, Raynaud's syndrome), unexplained skin rashes, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, GI issues, SIBO, acid reflux, brain fog, hormone imbalances, swollen lymph nodes and adrenal fatigue. I test positive for ANA. I'm gluten free and mostly dairy free."
Breast Implants & Cancer
Hall is not the only woman who's had health issues as a result of breast implants. There is a possible link between breast implants and cancer; specifically between implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a cancer of the immune system. Researchers don't know if the implant filling (i.e. saline or silicone) impacts the development of ALCL. The highest risk, though, are implants with textured silicone and polyurethane outer shells, reports Mayo Clinic. A product recall for implants in 2019 was the result of this discovery (the link between implants and cancer).
Breast implant illness (BII) is a condition with symptoms that include fatigue, joint pain, memory and concentration problems, and more, says Breastcancer.org. Experts believe this condition is due to having an autoimmune reaction to the breast implants.
Breastcancer.org notes that BII is a separate condition from the types of cancer which are rare that can develop in scar tissue and fluid surrounding a breast implant, including breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), other forms of lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Related: 'My Breast Implants Gave Me Cancer!' Mom Of Three's Warning To Women
In an earlier interview, SurvivorNet spoke with Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, about the safety of implants. She says, "Many years ago there were concerns about silicone implants, and silicone implants were taken out of the U.S. market."
Dr. Pusic continues, "Subsequent to that there were a number of very large studies that gave us new information about the performance of silicone implants. Subsequent also to that, there's been further improvements in the silicone implants we are able to offer patients. If that implant does leak, the silicone would rarely go anywhere, and it won't make you sick."
She says that implants are generally safe, but that they require surveillance, too.
Are Breast Implants Dangerous?
Doctors Weigh In On Breast Implant Concerns
In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Sarah Cate, the lead physician for the Special Surveillance Breast Program at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and Dr. Jordan Jacobs, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, discussed breast implant concerns for survivors of breast cancer, following the release of FDA safety communication. The FDA received 10 medical device reports (MDRs) about squamous cell carcinoma and 12 reports about various lymphomas connected to breast implants.
Doctors Cate and Jacobs tell SurvivorNet, regarding the FDA safety communication, "personally don't think there is cause for alarm."
The doctors believe the data shared by the FDA does not conclusively tie breast cancer to implants. Although, the pair does say, "the fact that the cancers were found in the implant capsules is certainly concerning and requires further investigation."
Dr. Cate and Dr. Jacobs note how the FDA has required the placement of warnings on breast implant packaging. Additionally, there is newly an implant checklist that patients must sign and review before undergoing implant surgery. The doctors noted how ALCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has been associated with implants for years.
The doctors affirmed that textured implants those linked to ALCL are not used at Mount Sinai. The doctors also note that implants require monitoring, and that if there are an adverse conditions spotted after the implants, they should be reported to the FDA.
Dr. Cate and Dr. Jacobs tell SurvivorNet, "Patients who have implants placed for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes should have yearly follow-ups with their surgeons."
They add that "there are recommendations from the FDA for routine (every 2-3 years) MRIs to evaluate the integrity of the implant and the surrounding capsule."
When Should You Be Concerned About Your Implants?
Moreover, there are signs of cancer that Dr. Cate and Dr. Jacobs want people with breast implants to keep an eye out for. If anyone with implants present the following symptoms, they should contact their physician:
- Breast swelling
- Pain
- Redness
- Tightening
- A change in the shape of their breasts
If you do find yourself in a situation where an evaluation of your implants is needed, you will undergo a physical exam and imaging studies "to evaluate the implant shell integrity, determine if there is fluid around the implant and visualize the implant capsule." Most breast radiologists can perform sampling fluid, as well, so that the fluid can be examined to see if there are any abnormal cells present.
"Surgical management includes removal of the implant and the surrounding capsule, which is sent to pathology to rule out atypical cells and/or cancer," Dr. Cate and Dr. Jacobs added.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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