Do breast implants lead to illness? Cancer survivor pushes for federal action

U.S. medical authorities are revisiting the safety of breast implants as part of a decades-long debate on their health effects.

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2019, 9:51 PM

Updated 1,864 days ago

Share:

U.S. medical authorities are revisiting the safety of breast implants as part of a decades-long debate on their health effects.
Debbie Langedorff is a breast cancer survivor who had a double mastectomy and chose to put in implants. She's had them for the past 14 years without issue. Now, a volunteer at the Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program at Adelphi University, she says she's concerned about the thousands of women nationwide who say they've fallen ill since getting breast implants and wants to see federal action.
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday began a two-day hearing, listening to medical professionals and deciding whether to investigate the health risks of implants. It's in response to claims of people getting cancer from their implants.
Volunteers at the Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program say they've been getting calls for years from women who say they became sick after getting breast implants.
Currently, there is no official correlation between implants and illness. The FDA still says implants are generally safe, but it warns of possible complications like pain, swelling and implant rupture.
Langedorff says she doesn't want to see women having any complications because they had implants put in following a double or single mastectomy.
"They should be safe," she says.
About 300,000 women get breast implants every year for cosmetic reasons. Another 100,000 women get them for breast reconstruction following cancer surgery.


More from News 12
2:28
Stony Brook University officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

Stony Brook University officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

2:00
Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

1:49
‘I am troubled by it.’ Students express mixed emotions following pro-Palestinian protest, arrests on Stony Brook University campus

‘I am troubled by it.’ Students express mixed emotions following pro-Palestinian protest, arrests on Stony Brook University campus

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

1:51
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments