Clarifying the BSCC Consensus Statement and My Position

Transparency and collaboration are essential when addressing the complexities of breast implant safety and breast implant illness (BII). Recently, the Breast Surgery Collaborative Community (BSCC) released a consensus statement that aims to define terminology and guide discussions on this issue. However, I believe it is important to clarify that this statement does not reflect a true consensus within the broader medical and patient advocacy communities.

The BSCC group responsible for this document was primarily composed of representatives from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), The Aesthetic Society, The Aesthetic Foundation, The Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF), and the Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA), with no participation from explant-only surgeons or a true multidisciplinary team that could provide critical perspectives, such as immunologists, rheumatologists, or radiologists. While some patient advocates were included, including the Global Patient Advocacy Coalition (GPAC), we found the process to be one-sided and not reflective of the diverse perspectives necessary to address this issue comprehensively.

As a member of GPAC, I want to be transparent about my stance: GPAC made the difficult decision to leave this initiative due to concerns over how the data was being interpreted, how terminology was being defined, and how the process was conducted. It is also my understanding that the FDA has stepped away from this collaborative group, raising further concerns about the validity and impartiality of the statement.

While manufacturers did not have a direct vote in this process, it is notable that the consensus statement primarily represents the viewpoints of ASPS, The Aesthetic Society, The Aesthetic Foundation, PSF, and BISA, with the inclusion of plastic surgeons affiliated with these organizations. This does not represent a full and balanced view of the scientific and medical realities surrounding breast implant-related health concerns.

I believe in a data-driven, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary approach to defining breast implant-related conditions and treatment recommendations. The process of developing guidelines and statements that impact patients should be inclusive, scientifically rigorous, and free from undue influence.

This is why I want to make my position clear: This consensus statement does not reflect a true consensus, nor does it represent the diverse voices of those actively researching, treating, and advocating for women affected by breast implants and breast implant illness.

I remain committed to advocating for accurate data, unbiased research, and policies that prioritize patient health and informed decision-making. Moving forward, I encourage continued dialogue that includes all stakeholders—patients, explant surgeons, multidisciplinary experts, and independent researchers—to ensure we are addressing this issue with integrity and transparency.