THIS ANNUAL MEMORIAL HONOURS WOMEN GLOBALLY who’ve lost their lives after having Breast Implants. It includes long-time advocates and women whose implants may or may not have definitively, or directly, factored into their death. Just being a silicone sister is enough. If they were part of our community we want to acknowledge them. This year, 2025, marks its ninth observation.
September 25th, the date chosen is the actual death date of BETTYE CAROLINE YALLER, but it’s representative of ALL of our fallen sisters.
‘REMEMBERING FALLEN ANGELS OF BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS & BREAST IMPLANT ASSOCIATED CANCERS‘ was created for the sake of those within the BII / BIA-ALCL / BI-SCC (and other breast implant cancers) communities. Included in this blog post are photos of those we’ve lost, personal stories; anecdotal tidbits; and information on various ways Breast Implants can impact mortality.
Bettye Caroline Yaller’s doctors were unfamiliar with BIA-ALCL. By the time Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) was diagnosed it was too late to save her. Her daughter, Vikki Radow, has become a strong advocate for getting her mother’s story out.
Vikki Radow: “She had breast cancer 30 years prior — she was a breast cancer survivor.
Due to the cancer, she had a mastectomy and implant placed in. She had many implants in and out over the course of 30 years.
Her first symptoms were:Rash around her breast with the implant, shortness of breath, pains in the implant, swollen lymph nodes, fluid around the implant and chest cavity, a mass on chest wall.
They could not figure out what all these symptoms meant.
Test after test after test — she quickly started to die. Was put on a ventilator and was given her first dose of CHOP chemo while on ventilator — she was finally diagnosed with ALCL from the implant. But it was LATE in the game for her.
She had 6 rounds of CHOP, the implant was never removed and she died on the operating table while trying to get it out. They resuscitated her but her heart, lungs etc were toast after all the chemo etc. She died within weeks on Sept 25, 2012. In fact, it was 5 years ago today I took her to the hospital and she never returned home. I’m still in shock.”
Vikki Raddow said that when she had heard the F.D.A. reported nine deaths from implant-associated lymphoma, “I said, ‘Oh, my God, my mother was one of those nine.”” Bettye’s story was featured in a New York Times article May 14, 2017, written by: Denise Grady. We are grateful to Denise Grady for creating some awareness around the issue. Link to the New York Times article here.
REMEMBERING LONG TIME ADVOCATES
Adella Matthew, founder of ‘Implant Awareness Society’, was a long-time advocate from British Columbia, Canada. Her husband, Richard Matthew wrote a beautiful tribute to his beloved Adella:
Posted on March 21, 2019 by Adella
My wife, Adella Matthew, was an exceptional woman. She devoted her life and, in spite of her own health challenges, always found the time to assist other people, whether for implant related problems or for those requesting her help as an energy practitioner. She never received the help or recognition that she deserved. She spent many hours on the telephone and the computer with people and assuring them that their problems were real; many told her, “Adella you saved my life”. She preferred the telephone because typing emails was hard on her arthritic hands.
Adella was one of the founding members of the I.A.S. Implant Awareness Society and served as the president from the society’s inception until she passed away on 2018 December 27 at the age of 88. She worked hard to get the society established as a charity. The society and the website will remain as long as I am alive.
I am sure there are hundreds of people who will miss Adella almost as much as I do. She suffered a lot of pain in the final months of her life but did not give up until the pain became too much to endure; she began to say that she was ready to die. A good friend suggested to me that she was just waiting for my permission to go. On December 27, I confirmed with her that she was ready to depart this world and then I told her that she had my permission to go to her Heavenly Father. This was very difficult for me.
When I left her around 3:45 pm, I kissed her goodnight, told her I loved her, and said I would see her the next day; she nodded her assent. Around 5:00 pm that evening, I received a call from the doctor saying that Adella was failing. I thought he was talking about days or maybe weeks. At 7:00 pm I had another call from the nurse looking after her that night, she said, “I think Adella is passing, I can still feel a pulse but I think she has stopped breathing”. A minute later she said, “oh, she is gone”. This happened only a bit more than three hours after I had left her. In the end, thankfully, she went quickly and peacefully.
In closing, I would just like to paraphrase a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
I say this with love, admiration, and respect:
Goodnight sweetheart, may bands of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Richard Matthew
http://implantawareness.com
Lynda Roth died June 17, 2010 metastatic breast cancer
Lynda Roth Founder and President of Coalition of Silicone Survivors, a Non-Profit Organization. Lynda testified at the FDA numbers times and helped put on conferences in Australia, Europe, Canada, and the U.S.
Rogene Lorene Schorer was a strong advocate for breast implant survivors lobbying in Washington, DC.
In 1982 PJ Brent was implanted with Double Lumen implants, which contained both silicone and saline chambers. After becoming ill from her implants, and believing they also caused the two children she’d breastfed after getting them to become ill, PJ launched a worldwide crusade against implants. She testified at the FDA hearing on saline implants. She also appeared on CNN Headline News, as well as in newspapers, radio, and Redbook magazine. She was so well loved 1,200 people attended her funeral. PJ’s husband, Ed Brent, testified at FDA after his wife’s death.
Cindy Fuchs-Morrissey underwent a bilateral mastectomy at 35 after three silicone-gel sets to correct a deformity. Her first set in 1976, at age 18, were a birthday present from her parents.
After being diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic cancer, Cindy wrote: “ .. cancer is NOT the worst thing that can ever happen in life .. being exposed to failed silicone gel breast implants still was far worse for me than dealing with stage 4 cancer. I AM NOT KIDDING. .. the Art of Medicine failed me in my youth and continues to fail, not just me, but humanity and the generations to come.” She passed away in spring 2016.
Lana was an advocate for people injured by Silicone Hypersensitivity. She strived to help as many people as possible suffering from damage caused by allergies to Silicon medical implants and prostheses. She battled pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers, and created videos for YouTube called, ‘Immune Response to Silicone‘ and ‘Silicone Immune Response‘.
Misty Davis-Branscum (Lana’s daughter) wrote:
“My mother Lana Merriam passed away from illnesses due to her breast implants in 2014. Her life was cut short at just 56 years old. She was very loving, caring, strong, and a no-nonsense type of woman. When she realized she was ill she spent every day trying to understand what was happening to her and why. She wanted so badly to get her story out there to try to educate people, and try to help women who were suffering from the same issues. She did everything she could to fight the things that were happening to her body, unfortunately when they discontinued the only lifesaving inhaler she could use, she lost her long battle.”
Joyce Attis founded Breast Implant Line of Canada, a National support and self-help group for women who have had silicone gel breast implants.
Madeline Boscoe and Anne Rochon Ford, of Canadian Women’s Health Network, wrote a great tribute to Joyce: Tribute to a Fighter: S. Joyce Attis
“The movement to raise public awareness in Canada about concerns associated with breast implants lost one of its most hard-working and committed advocates recently. Joyce Attis, known to many as the voice for breast implant victims, died in Toronto on November 25, 2010 .. (follow the link to read the full tribute).
“Lori Dobson, one of our original support group leaders in Canada ..” (quote: Joyce Attis, deceased)
Pamela created an extensive body of work that consists of material that remains relevant and invaluable in current times.
I will include a link to her website, but with her passing it’s likely that at some point, if not maintained by someone else, it will disappear. If later on the link becomes ‘broken’ please let me know so I can remove it from this post.
Poem written by Pamela Dowd – ‘Implant Veterans of Toxic Exposure Gagged by Order of the Court’:
Copyright Pamela G. Dowd 1998
I have a name
But no one will ever know me.
No one will ever know my story.
As a young woman I touched the flame
Of the plastic surgeons’ reach for glory
And bought his lie
That implants would last forever, even if I die.
He bought a yacht
And sent his kids to Harvard.
He went to the Himalayas
To do good for the sick and affirmed.
While at home we languished in untold pain
And mortgaged our homes for medical care
To support the greed that put us there.
My implants ruptured and spread their deadly toxin
Throughout my body until my bones were on fire.
My lungs hurt from the constant cough
That racked my body to the soul…
And I did not know
That a judge had sealed many documents
That would have proved this deadly deed
Had been practiced knowingly upon the innocent.
I did not know they were not FDA approved
I did not know that contaminated foreign implants were sold to the unknowing
And used by the unethical in their reach for a fatter wallet.
I believed my government would protect me
From those who sought to increase their bank accounts
At the expense of my health.
My doctor I had placed upon a pedestal
And believed that he too would not lead me astray.
But, I was wrong, I was wrong about it all.
The implants ruptured and I grew daily sicker
My doctor not only didn’t know what was wrong
He didn’t want to search for answers.
Soon I couldn’t walk with this unknown disorder.
My bowels lost control.
My breath felt as if were being choked from my body
And my eyes were growing dim.
Does anyone really think THIS is my choice?
Does anyone really believe I would choose to sit at home
And never climb the mountains again…
And never walk on the sandy beach again…
And never sit in the sun again…
And never sing in the choir again…
And never hold the grandchildren for fear of dropping them…
And wear adult diapers every day…
While using a cane to get around????????
Is this the life you THINK I deserve?
What if it were your daughter or mother or child…
Someone you know and love?
Would they deserve it then?
My house I mortgaged for medical care.
Insurance I was denied.
I will someday be on the public dole
And the perpetrators of the pain of thousands will be free…
Free of accountability
Free of responsibility
For I gave up the battle yesterday
I signed many papers
To keep the deep dark secret.
And they gave me money to pay the doctors,
And so I wouldn’t lose my house.
My future is dark and grim.
My health is gone and will never return.
But the secrets are kept in the courthouse files.
And breast implant manufacturers get away with murder.
If I speak the truth or participate in any activities,
They will take my all away.
And it really wasn’t much.
Just a pittance from their golden coffers
And when I die, who will know? Who will care?
Who will my story share?
They have legally silenced me forever.
They have removed my right to freedom of speech.
They will constantly observe my every move and word…
All to protect THEIR evil deeds.
A Gagged Victim
Of an Unholy Circumstance
Written on behalf of the many victims of breast implants who have been forever gagged from telling their story to the world.
God must be crying at the pain his daughters are suffering.
Inspired by Moriah.
Link to Pam’s website:
https://yukonmom47.tripod.com/index.html
I don’t know whether or not Nicole Demers ever had breast implants herself, but she’s included here because she was a longtime champion for breast implant safety. A former Member of the House of Commons of Canada, she was a personal hero, and hero to many others who have fought for breast implant safety in Canada.
During a HESA Meeting on June 13, 2006, Nicole Demers said, “I would now like to read excerpts from motion #1B, which among other things, notes the following: There have been no objective, long-term studies on silicone gel breast implants and their effect on women’s health. Further on, there is a lengthy reference to testimony given by witnesses who last week provided the committee with information on silicone gel breast implants. The following is further noted: The team of Doctor Robert Guidoin, a specialist in biomaterials at the Université Laval, demonstrated that the silicone gel prostheses implanted in 12,000 Canadian women can deteriorate, mix with tissue and release a potentially carcinogenic product into the human body. Therefore, I am asking the minister to postpone her decision on silicone gel implants until we have definitive proof that these implants do not pose a health risk for women. The situation is becoming ridiculous.”
Unfortunately, industry interests prevailed and the government failed to take action that would have prevented decades of further harm. In 2024 it remains that there is no long-term safety data for breast implants.
Nicole Demers mentored and supported many of us that have continued to fight for breast implant safety in Canada.
Founder: Fierce, FLAT, Forward ~ International FLAT Day ~
From Christy’s official obituary:
“Christy was a fierce advocate for women with breast cancer. She spent her final years working to raise awareness about the options available to women after a mastectomy and tirelessly fighting for informed consent for all cancer patients. She testified before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, founded an online support community with nearly 20,000 members called ‘Fierce, Flat, Forward,’ and co-founded International Flat Day. In addition, she served as Vice President of the non-profit group Not Putting on a Shirt. Her groundbreaking work has positively impacted thousands of women, empowering them to make choices that honored their bodies and their well-being. She also authored a heartfelt children’s book, “Closer To Her Heart,” to help women navigate conversations with their children and grandchildren about aesthetic flat closure after mastectomy.”
Quote – Erica Rachelle Deligne: “Last week, the flat community lost a great leader. In honor of Christy Avila’s life, I wanted to bring her testimony she gave at the FDA Hearing on Breast Implant Safety”
Christy Avila tribute video:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=1035064238617340
*********************************************************************************************************
It is with great sadness and admiration that I pay tribute to an exceptional
woman, Jacqueline Gendron. She campaigned ardently for hours on end,
following in the footsteps of the women before her, so that a breast implant
registry would eventually see the light of day in Canada. She devoted all her
energies to reopening the political file, first by obtaining a national petition and
then by writing two briefs to the Parliament of Canada. Unfortunately, her
extremely precarious health prevented her from attending the meeting in the
House of Commons.
Her unwavering commitment enabled this crucial issue to move forward, a
project that was close to her heart.
She often told me: “I don’t do it for myself anymore, because I don’t have enough
time left. I’m doing it for the others who are left.” These words alone sum up the
selflessness and greatness of her spirit. Despite the hardships she endured, she
devoted her last strength to improving the lives of those who would come after
her.
I will never forget her courage, her determination, and her will to build a better
future for women’s health. Her legacy will live on through every action, every
change she undertook on the back of the sum of previous victims of the
unspoken risks of breast implants.
May we, in turn, carry her torch, a death chosen to put an end to suffering too
heavy and with no possible way out, and so continue her fight with as much
passion and conviction. Let’s unite our voices, share our stories to educate about
the risks associated with breast implants. All women should have the information
they need to give informed consent.
I’ll never forget you Jaqueline, my inspiration to carry on.
QUOTE FROM TRACE: “It’s with a heavy heart that I must post this, but we’ve lost another dear friend Amanda Boudreau on Oct 29. AMANDA was one of the most unselfish women I knew. She was concerned more with the needs of others than her own personal health struggles. She was a giver and a fighter. She had more love and kindness than she let on for others to see. I know many gals in this group had the fortune of knowing her and we will all miss her. She was truly one of a kind.”
QUOTE FROM RANDY SHAIN (STACY’S BROTHER), written on the first anniversary of his beloved sister’s passing: “Today is 1 year since you left us. I still can’t believe it’s been a year. I think about you every day and every night. My world has been forever changed without you in it. Keep watching over us Stacy Shain. Until we meet again.
Your book is almost finished- once it is, mom and I will get it out to everyone who is suffering from breast implant illness….just like you wanted. Always caring for others more then yourself. Maybe with your book, we can prevent them from going through what you did.
Love you,
Randy”
The book Stacy was writing before her death was completed posthumously by her Mother and brother. The first paragraph in the book starts out “if you’re reading this that means I didn’t make it.” The book titled, ‘A Mother’s Nightmare’ is in the final stages of publication.
Susan R Scott’s daughter wrote: “By the time this illness killed her, she had suffered from virtually every symptom on the list. I know my Mom would want to use her life to save others.”
My name is Jordana Edwards and I am now the voice for one who’s voice can no longer be heard. My mother.
Like many women who got breast implants my mother hated having a flat chest, she felt that she wasn’t a women without large breast, hated that she had to buy clothes from the children’s section, the irony is that as she got sicker she again had to buy clothes from the kids section as she had gotten so tiny.
I cannot remember exactly when my mum started to get sick, I do remember it was a gradual thing, back ache here, unusual bruising there. But as it began to progress I began to do more and more for mum. The doctors of course never mentioned that her symptoms could have had anything to do with her implants. Gradually my mum, who would get up at 4am to go to her job of exercising race horses, come home and get my then step brother and myself ready for school, would go to her full time day job, go back to the race horses after that, come home and get us dinner then go to her waitressing job simply couldn’t do it anymore.
Somehow mum heard about the problems women were having with their implants and realized that this was happening to her as well. She joined the class action against Dow Corning and Bristol Myers Squid, with thousands of other Australian women. The amount of research my mum did was staggering, and what she found was horrific – the toxic chemicals that made up the silicone that was now coursing through her body was terrifying. The class action was successful but what the Australian women won was nowhere near what American women won, but no amount of money would make up for what mum had no lost. Her independence, her health.
She finally got them out, and that in itself was a ordeal in itself as the first doctor cancelled 3 times, mum then rang the hospital that put them in and demanded they take them out. It was closing the stable door after the horse had bolted – both implants had completely ruptured and the silicone was all through her body. Nothing was going to reverse what had happened now.
By the time I was 18 I was my mothers full time carer, something that was to continue until I was 38 when I simply had nothing left and couldn’t care for her any more and put her into full time care, the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.
Mum had: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, lupus, sjogrens disease, fibromyalgia, bruised easily, chronic fatigue, hair loss, weight loss (she was 35 kg) and many other aliments. The hospital had three large folders on mum.
In late February 2015 the care facility mum was at rang me to say that she was not well, hard to wake etc. I went there as the doctor was coming to see her and he said the words I’d be dreading her time was coming to an end. Mum had fought so hard and for so long, had stared death in the face so many times and told it to f#%* off. Now, she embraced it. The constant pain, a broken body were just too much. Watching my mother in her final days was beyond heartbreaking, she wasn’t aware and didn’t know we were there. For once my love and strength couldn’t help her. We were told it could take a week and so I went to work, I got the call that it was happening from my aunt and I raced to her, breaking the speed limit. But I was too late. Mum passed away seconds after my aunt called me. Going in and seeing her lying there just about destroyed me. And in the nearly 3 years since I lost her I’m still trying to find myself in a world without my rock; I have no husband, no children (caring for mum meant that never happened).
If mum knew of someone who wanted breast implants she’d tell them her story and I don’t know of an instance that it didn’t convince them not to go through with it.
I miss my mum more than anything in this world, I was robbed of her my breast implants. It if I can use her story to talk someone out of breast implants I will, and I have.
From Adella Mathew: Ivana had two sets of silicone implants, the first set at 29 years of age. When she died Easter Monday 1996, she was 52 years and 9 months old.
Her advice to all women who have implants, or are contemplating getting them, is: “Nobody can be truly well with implants, love yourself for the way you are. Your creator has given you a beautiful body; please don’t you and your doctor try to improve it. Breast implants are very toxic and they are the greatest insult we can give our body.”
From: Adella Matthewhttp://implantawareness.com
‘We will always remember Ivana Buchar; Karen Gates, Cleo Bara, along with Clara Schimpf, our secretary, Ann Gage-Cole our Vice President. None ever reached 60 years of age. Ricky McAndrew was 70 years old when she passed in 1996. These six women will always be remembered. Their suffering and pain are acknowledged; they have not died in vain.’
Alain Matz, Candi’s husband writes:
In a word, Candi was selfless. No matter how how terrible she felt, physically or emotionally, her light had never shone brighter than when she helped other people pick themselves up. She didn’t want sympathy, she didn’t want pity. She wanted to help others smile. And she did.
Lisa will be remembered for her gentle spirit and loving nature. She was always so positive and used to say, “Never forget how far you’ve come. Everything you have gotten through. All the mornings you just didn’t want to get out of bed, but you did.” (quote: Rita Giorgio-Masson)
Stacey Phelan Olson, Ashley Jade’s sister, writes this message:
My beautiful sister who battled BII for 25+ years.
It’s been four years since she laid down (because she wasn’t feeling well, again) and never woke up. At 5’7” she was down to a 90lb warrior. I watched her battle like hell year after year after year. She wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I hope reading her obit changes even ONE young woman’s mind.
I only wish we’d found this group, she would have been totally validated!! And had support other than me, my dear sweet husband, our daughter and a few dear friends. Too many friends and even family abandoned her out of frustration and misunderstanding. She would have gladly donated her body for medical research on implants, had it ever occurred to us. She would have done that for you, and me and every woman who thinks she isn’t perfect just the way she is.
(Note: The group Stacey is referring to is a Facebook group: Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole. It has 50,000+ members.)
From Rosanna Smith (Rosie) Implant~Info~Net: Mary died from an autoimmune disease related to a breast implant she got following mastectomy, in 1998.
From Rosanna Smith (Rosie) Implant~Info~Net: Pam worked hard to ensure other women were informed about the risks, pain and suffering of breast reconstruction surgeries.
Jackie Paisley was a renowned and accomplished bodybuilder.
BREAST IMPLANT ASSOCIATED ANAPLASTIC LARGE CELL LYMPHOMA (BIA-ALCL)
At the time of the first memorial event in 2017 .. TWELVE women were confirmed to have died from BIA-ALCL.The FDA noted 359 reports of BIA-ALCL and 9 deaths as of February 2017 but, a newer document released noted 464 reports worldwide from 40 databases and 12 deaths. https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm239995.htm
The BIA-ALCL landscape is changing nearly daily. Though BIA-ALCL has been referred to as a ‘rare’ cancer, increased testing and tracking is demonstrating a sharp increase in cases. The term ’emerging’ is preferred over ‘rare’.
As of May 30, 2025, the ‘American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) recognizes approximately: 458 Suspected or Confirmed Cases of BIA-ALCL in the United States and 1,618 Cases of BIA-ALCL Worldwide
From the April 2025 6th World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL – Approximately 1772 cases reported worldwide across 51 countries
BIA-ALCL DEATHS – As of February 06, 2025 FDA summary of U.S. and Worldwide Deaths – 64 deaths
Note: It’s believed there may be other BIA-ALCL deaths not included.
Edwidge Ligoneche, of France, died from ruptured PIP implants and BIA-ALCL
From Sherry’s sister, Tina Marie Hedrick: Sister, Daughter, Mother, Wife, Friend.
Mcghann Textured Saline implants… BIA-ALCL. Diagnosed with ‘Rare T-Cell non-Hodgkins Lymphoma’ Christmas of 2007. Chemo, Radiation, stem cell transplant with implants STILL IN PLACE. Died Valentine’s Day 2009.
(See Bettye Caroline Yaller’s Story above)
Paulette Parr – died 10 months after being diagnosed with BIA-ALCL
“Lydia was a very much loved daughter and sister. She was always a laugh and fun to be with. We lost Lydia on the 25 August 2019 at the age of 36, with ALCL. Lydia was not diagnosed until it was too late.
We lost her 3 weeks before her 37th birthday.
Lydia was Always full of energy , in her younger years she worked as a sailing and water sports instructor, a job that she loved.
Lydia was working as a hospital assessor up until when she felt ill. Lydia enjoyed meeting people, she was very much a people person, very caring and kind, and many people loved her as well.
As her family we miss her so much, and our hearts broken, that she lost her life through ALCL. She had her implants to make her feel more feminine and to help with her confidence.”
PLEASE NOTE – Most of the women included in this section died with BIA-ALCL being their cause of death. Though having been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL Diana Martin’s death was reported as being a different cancer. Her BIA-ALCL diagnosis warrants acknowledging her here.
BREAST IMPLANT ASSOCIATED -SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Though BIA-ALCL has received more media attention and has more diagnosed cases there are multiple Breast Implant Associated cancers, including ‘Breast Implant Associated – Squamous Cell Carcinoma’
Breast Implant Associated – Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BIA-SCC) was first diagnosed in the early 1990s. It took FDA 30 years to talk about it.
2022 – FDA Safety Communication published September 8, 2022 (Squamous Cell Carcinoma and various lymphomas in CAPSULE AROUND IMPLANTS): “After preliminary review of published literature as part of our ongoing monitoring of the safety of breast implants, the FDA is aware of less than 20 cases of SCC and less than 30 cases of various lymphomas in the capsule around the breast implant.”
2023 – On March 8, FDA updated their information on BI-SCC and other implant related cancers.
link to the FDA update: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/breast-implants-reports-squamous-cell-carcinoma-and-various-lymphomas-capsule-around-implants-fda
2023 – there are 29 confirmed cases ( 49 total, including suspected cases).
2020 – there were 7 cases worldwide and 4 deaths.
2019: Michelle Sheets: “I am the 6th documented case worldwide, cancer that is / was in both breasts.” Her story is featured in this blog post: https://breastimplantfailure.net/2019/09/25/breast-implant-associated-squamous-cell-carcinoma/
One can only imagine how many cases and deaths have gone undiagnosed because women weren’t being tested for it.
It should be noted that although BIA-ALCL is associated with textured breast implants with no confirmed cases with smooth implants, BIA-SCC has been dx’d in women with smooth implants.
Though historically women have been implanted and left for years, or even decades, without follow-up we now know that annual follow-up with a plastic surgeon is imperative, no matter what surface implants one has.
If you have breast implants and develop unusual symptoms, including sudden swelling, pain, itching, seroma (fluid), redness, hardness, lumps/masses you should seek medical attention. Symptoms of BIA-SCC can be similar to symptoms of BIA-ALCL.
DEATHS FROM A BREAST IMPLANT CANCER UNKOWN TO ME AT THE TIME OF PUBLISHING THIS MEMORIAL BLOG POST
SUICIDE
THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF SUICIDE WITH BREAST IMPLANTS
PJ Brent took her life on Memorial Day, May 29, 2000 .. she was 49 years old.
Autopsy showed she had Platinum in every organ in her body. The level in her brain was so high a doctor said, “I don’t know how she was able to function.” Ed Brent, PJ’s widower, shares his wife’s story in hopes that it will prevent other deaths.
PJ’s husband, Ed Brent, testified at an FDA hearing. In his testimony he said his wife had committed suicide two months after testifying at a previous hearing on breast implants. She believed that silicone from her implants had seeped into her breast milk and sickened her two children. He said the children she had breastfed before the implants are healthy. “P. J. felt terrible guilt that her two daughters had been so seriously harmed by her decision to get breast implants.”
The two children PJ breastfed with implants also had high levels of Platinum. One daughter at age 3 was diagnosed with esophageal motility disorder; the other daughter has Crohn’s Disease. Both are in a wheelchair.
Ed Brent, said PJ was a WONDERFUL mother and put her kids above everything else.
(Ilena Rosenthal’s Memorial for PJ Brent ..)
2021 – OUR BII COMMUNITY HAS GRIEVED MULTIPLE SUICIDE DEATHS IN RECENT YEARS
MORTALITIES FROM BREAST IMPLANTS
Some women have died from events confirmed as being related to breast implants, such as complications resulting from surgical procedures and Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Most women, however, have died without a connection being made.
Just as there’s denial within the medical community around Breast Implants making women sick, there’s equally lack of awareness or acceptance around their impact on mortality. Outside of known BIA-ALCL / BIA-SCC (and other BI cancers) it’s fair to say most women that have died from Breast Implant related issues probably slipped away with the role their implants played being undiagnosed.
Even when the cause of death seems perhaps unrelated to Breast Implants, they can play a contributing, yet unrecognized role.
MANY WOMEN WITH IMPLANTS spend years or even decades feeling like they’re dying. If intervention doesn’t come soon enough, they are left clinging to just ‘this side of death’. Some end up dying before receiving the care necessary to save their life. And, for some the endless suffering leads them to take their life. Even when breast implants are removed the impact of residual and migrated silicone impacts health, quality of life, and mortality.
The road to DEATH IS OFTEN A SLOW, PAINFUL, QUALITY-OF-LIFE-ROBBING DECLINE. Often decades of robbed health and vitality as the immune system struggles to fight off the toxic, foreign invaders.
THE IMPACT OF BREAST IMPLANTS ON HEALTH IS STILL LARGELY UNACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.
If not for the information and support women find in BII (Breast Implant Illness) forums the death toll from implants would surely be much greater.
NICOLE DARUDA (Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole, on Facebook): “If we had listened to our doctors telling us that our illness is not from our breast implants, eventually some of us would have lost our life or much of what was left of it.”
BREAST IMPLANTS – A MASSIVE FAILED EXPERIMENT with WOMEN as HUMAN GUINEA PIGS
“The silicone breast implant fiasco is a sad case of corporate indifference and regulatory mismanagement.” Ted Weiss (D-N. Y.) House Subcommittee Chainnan New York Times, 312019
(Qualifying comment: PLEASE NOTE we are not calling for a ban of all breast implants.)
THE ROLE OF REGULATORY BODIES AND HOW THEY’RE FAILING TO PROTECT WOMEN
BREAST IMPLANTS ARE ASSIGNED THE HIGHEST RISK RATING BY REGULATING BODIES, YET … THERE IS NO STANDARD PROTOCOL IN PLACE FOR DIAGNOSING OR TREATING BREAST IMPLANT RELATED ILLNESS AND DEVICE FAILURE, and RELATIVELY FEW DOCTORS ARE TRAINED TO PROPERLY REMOVE IMPLANTS.
From hidden adverse events reports to the refusal to disclose ingredients in breast implants regulators protect manufacturer interests. Regulatory bodies globally have acted as agents of manufacturers vs champions of patient safety. Profit over safety vs safety over profit.
In 2023, despite hopeful progress and FDA acknowledgement of symptoms / illness reported by many women with breast implants , there is still for the most-part resistance – even push-back – within the medical community. Women are still frequently hung out to dry medically and must turn to social media platforms for information and support.
SERIOUS AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES & TOXICITY THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DEATH
WHEN BREAST IMPLANTS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL CANCER OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM it’s not a far leap that they can, and DO wreak havoc on the immune system. The truth can no longer be denied. Breast implants have killed women and will continue to do so until, and unless, manufacturers and regulatory bodies start telling the truth and take steps to better protect women undergoing breast augmentation with Breast Implants.
Breast implants contain known carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, neurotoxins and heavy metals. They sit within 2-3 cm of vital organs. Silicone, and the toxic chemicals it contains, often migrate to surrounding and distant tissue, lymph nodes, and organs.
Silicone used in breast implants causes an acute inflammation specific to breast implants. It is a completely man-made inflammation. The role chronic inflammation plays in developing cancer is well documented.
POSTHUMOUS TESTING – #STUDYUS
RESIDUAL SILICONE AND MORTALITY
Regulatory bodies and manufacturers refuse to #StudyUs – women adversely affected by breast implants. Women included in manufacturer-funded studies that reported complications or illness were dropped from studies. In 2018 it was finally publically revealed that manufacturers have failed to fulfill the conditions placed on them when breast implants were conditionally re-approved in 2006. THERE IS NO LONG-TERM SAFETY DATA. If they want to know the truth we’re right here, willing to participate – but, it seems evident their avoidance of including us is a clever ploy to avoid having to admit the truth.
Women harmed through having breast implants should have the option of being followed through studies with NO FINANCIAL TIES to those profiting from implants. We should be followed after our implants have been removed and autopsies performed posthumously (for women who choose this option) to find the truth of where silicone has gone within us, and it’s impact on our health.
IF regulating bodies actually wanted to know the TRUTH this would be done routinely. However, they don’t want the truth getting out, so they BURY the truth with us.
RESULTS OF A WOMAN’S AUTOPSY:
“Annalise (not her real name) decided she would not die in vain. The Dutch resident suffered for years with pain and a host of strange undiagnosed symptoms before contracting the breast cancer that would eventually kill her.
Before her death at the age of 56 in 2008, Annalise decided to donate her body to medical science to find out the truth about why she’d developed cancer. Dr Ruth Kappel, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Zwolle, The Netherlands, led the pathology team that dissected the body.
Through special instrumentation using light and electron microscopy and X-ray analysis of the body’s internal organs and nervous system tissue, the key to Annalise’s suffering stood starkly revealed. She’d had breast implants 17 years before, and the silicone had migrated throughout her body, even to distant organs—her ovaries, her thyroid, her bladder and throughout her spinal cord. In fact, silicone was everywhere in every tissue tested—and in unusually high amounts.” (Excerpt from Boob Jobs Busted, by Lynne McTaggart – June 2016 (Vol. 27 Issue 3)
Silicone was found in virtually every part of her body despite her implants not being ruptured. She was impacted by Gel Bleed, which is particularly significant as all breast implants bleed toxic chemicals into women’s bodies. Despite Breast implants being used since the early 60’s REGULATORY BODIES and MANUFACTURERS say they don’t know the long term effect of migrated silicone in the body. IT DEFIES BELIEF THAT THEY’VE GOTTEN AWAY WITH THIS FOR SO LONG! The NEWSFLASH is that WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL what it does to us – it makes us ill and it kills us!
GEL BLEED and RUPTURE OF SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS investigated by Light
SILICONE in Breast Implants is NOT inert. NOBODY GETS OUT OF HAVING BREAST IMPLANTS UNSCATHED – ITS A MATTER OF DEGREE. TOO MANY WOMEN HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO THE HARMS OF BREAST IMPLANTS.
Manufacturers and regulatory bodies that deny the truth and refuse to #StudyUs will cause more needless deaths. They must include Real World Evidence in regulating decisions. Women losing their lives shouldn’t be anecdotal.
WOMEN ARE TOO OFTEN TOLD TILL THEIR DYING BREATH THEIR IMPLANTS HAVEN’T IMPACTED THEIR HEALTH (with the exception of BIA-ALCL and other breast implant associated cancers). Even with the diagnosis of an implant caused cancer the cause of death reported by doctors might be listed as something unrelated, which may or may not always be accurate. Doctors don’t always get it right.
Doctors that fail to properly diagnose women ill from Breast Implants may lead them more quickly toward their grave.
There is LACK OF SCREENING FOR POORER CANDIDATES with pre-existing conditions or genetic pre-disposition to developing serious autoimmune illnesses that may impact health and mortality.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE THE EARLY DAYS, EXCEPT THAT BREAST IMPLANTS MAY BE EVEN DEADLIER THAN BEFORE
Women in 2023 who have experienced losing their health (and some their life), as a result of Breast Implants are saying the SAME things and have experienced the SAME symptoms as women since the early 60’s when Breast Implants were introduced.
PJ Brent who later lost her life to suicide attended this rally. The other ladies are still alive. (Photo above)
Prior to the 60’s injectable silicone and other substances were used, with catastrophic consequences to women’s health. In the early 60’s SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS were created as a way to contain silicone within the breasts. HOWEVER, all Breast Implants have ‘gel bleed’ and ALL eventually FAIL leaving women vulnerable to silicone migrating to lymph nodes, surrounding tissue and distant places, including VITAL ORGANS.
Each new tweak to Breast Implants has been spun to consumers as making implants safer, but has been just one more experiment using women as lab rats. The tweaks invariably presented new complications, some potentially fatal as in the instance of Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, which is linked to ‘textured’ implants. One can be sure that women have died from cancers caused by chemicals used in implants and migrated silicone throughout the history of breast augmentation.
INJECTING SILICONE DIRECTLY INTO BREASTS IS BANNED because of the known consequence to health and mortality. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE on impact to health and mortality when silicone from Breast Implants ‘bleeds’ or migrates into the lymph system or other parts of the body.
For nearly SEVEN DECADES women who have been used as HUMAN GUINEA PIGS have been swept under the carpet as they’ve become ill, or died.
LINKS TO ONLINE STORIES – Women who died from breast augmentation surgery or complications from having breast implants: (Please note: Many of these sites have annoying pop-ups.)
Sol Arbach
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laura-avila-dead-today-2018-11-25/
Laura Avila
3. http://www.worldwideweirdnews.com/2017/06/12-woman-dead-breast-implants.html
Janelle Edwards
Kerry Elia
Paige Goldup
6. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-who-died-after-boob-13659978
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-46386527
Louise Harvey
Jean Huang
8. https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/20/sonia-perez-llanzon-dies-vaseline-breasts_n_4999990.html
Sonia Perez Llanzon
Galina Rakushina
10. https://www.thelocal.de/20110121/32577
Sexy Cora
11. https://www.asiaone.com/health/chinese-model-25-dies-during-breast-augmentation-surgery
Ting Ting
12. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2001284079/the-moving-story-of-
June Wanza
____________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR ALL WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED SINCE BREAST IMPLANTS AND INJECTABLE SUBSTANCES HAVE BEEN USED TO AUGMENT BREAST SIZE …
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN ANGELS
If there is anyone you would like added to this Memorial please send their name, photo, birth and death date, and a few details of their story via email: breastimplantfailure@gmail.com
Thank you to ALL who shared stories and information.
**Special thanks to Gail Hamilton for creating the memorial logo photo**
**Special thanks to Dede Graham for all the help and support**
**Special thanks to Ed Brent for sharing his wife, PJ Brent’s, story. Our bii community is grieving the loss of too many of our sisters that took their own life to end their suffering. The issue of suicide with breast implants needs to be openly discussed and not swept under the carpet. It is a risk with breast implants and should be acknowledged**
**Special thanks to Rosanna Smith (Rosie) for generously allowing me to use information from her website, where she had her own wonderful memorial tribute to sister’s that have lost their lives after having breast implants. Rosie, of Florida, worked as a volunteer since 1993-2018 and has supported countless women on their journey toward healing. Rosie is in ill-health so has had to close her website: Implant~Info~Net.**
**We wish to extend remembrance to ALL who have lost their life after having any IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE. We stand collectively in solidarity with victims of implantable medical devices and their advocacy movements.**
Breast Implant Failure & Illness 