Do Breast Implants Cause Systemic Disease? -- Science in the Courtroom

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal, Gabriel and colleagues report that they were unable to find an increased risk of certain disorders -- principally connective-tissue diseases -- in women who had breast implants¹. Until now there has been almost no reliable evidence bearing on the subject². Yet, despite the paucity of evidence, much of the public believes that breast implants cause connective-tissue diseases, and judges and juries have awarded large settlements to women in this belief. Why has the hypothesis that breast implants cause these diseases been so readily accepted with so little evidence to support it? And . . .