Throughout the month of October, communities of friends, families, and colleagues will come together to raise awareness for breast cancer, with October marking Australia’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Cancer Council’s pink ribbon campaign is just one of many efforts aimed at raising awareness about breast and gynaecological cancers, as well as to raise funds for prevention programs, support services and vital cancer research. We are proud to be supporting this cause, hosting morning teas and pink events at our offices around Australia today.
In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 15 risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85.
In raising awareness for breast cancer, we are also able to raise awareness for other women’s cancers. Breast implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a cancer of lymphatic cells. While it is not a breast cancer, BIA-ALCL is a rare cancer impacting many Australian women who have undergone breast augmentation surgeries for both cosmetic and reconstructive reasons.
Importantly, not all breast implants are at the same risk of developing BIA-ALCL. It is widely accepted that some of the risks of BIA-ALCL include:
- Textured implants
- Bacterial contamination at the time of surgery, causing inflammation
- Patient genetic predisposition
- Development over time (sometimes between 7-10 years)
This means that the way in which a breast augmentation is performed, including the choice of implant and surgical technique, can have a direct impact on the risk of developing BIA-ALCL.
Turner Freeman Lawyers is litigating a class action against The Cosmetic Institute (TCI) and its previous doctors. The action alleges a substandard approach to surgery and treatment that exposed numerous women who underwent breast augmentation surgery at TCI’s various facilities in New South Wales and Queensland, to an increased risk of developing complications including BIA-ALCL.
Other alleged major intra-operative and post-operative complications arising from the breast augmentation surgeries performed at TCI include heart issues, seizure post-operatively, pneumothorax (punctured lungs), pain and deformity.
Get in touch with us
If you or anyone you know has suffered harm as a result of medical negligence, please contact our medical negligence team on 13 43 63.
At Turner Freeman, we have specialist medical negligence lawyers who will assess your case and provide personalised advice regarding your legal entitlements. Our medical negligence lawyers are located across NSW including in our offices in Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong, Newcastle and Toronto.
