Send to a friend

News

Implants linked to suicide - 9 August 2007

New research in the US has revealed that women who have cosmetic breast implants are up to three times more likely to commit suicide than other women. This study reinforces several other notable pieces of research that have shown similar results.

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, reporting in the Annals of Plastic Surgery has followed up the cases of over 3,500 Swedish women who had breast surgery over a 28-year period by examining the death certificates for a cause of death. The researchers found only 24 of the sample group had committed suicide in the intervening years, but this still puts the rate at triple that of the average population.

The study also found that the increased risk of suicide only became apparent ten years or more after surgery. The conclusion reached by the researchers was that those women who get implants may have more acute psychiatric problems at the outset, underpinning their decision to undergo surgery. These problems could easily include lower self-esteem or body image disorders.

Research leader Loren Lapworth said, “I think we don’t even know how big of a problem it is because we cannot even pinpoint what proportion of women have psychiatric disorders.”

The study also found that those women with implants had three times the risk of death from alcohol or drug abuse.

Last year, a similar study in Canada found that women with implants had a higher risk of suicide, but lower incidence of other diseases, including cancer.

To listen to our radio programme on the Psychology of Surgery, click here.

 

Related Articles


Browse our articles written by leading industry experts:

Overseas Property Buying Guides

UK Property Guides

Gardens and Interiors

Cosmetic Surgery Fact Sheets

Looking Good Guides

Money

Business

Community

Travel