Published: April 2022. Version 2. Next review: 2027.
This toolkit provides clinicians with best practice guidance when caring for patients with breast implants, or considering breast implants.
The toolkit considers three clinical scenarios:
- Patients who present for breast reconstruction following cancer treatment or prophylactic mastectomy.
- Patients who present for cosmetic breast augmentation.
- Patients who have breast implants and are concerned about their future risk of adverse events.
The toolkit supports shared decision making with patients about their options. It includes practical tools to inform patients about the benefits and risks of the surgery.
The following principles have shaped this resource:
- Empowering patients through shared and protected decision making.
- Transparency about potential conflicts of interest.
- Patient education on the risks, benefits and options for a variety of treatments.
- Managing patient uncertainty and anxiety.
- Ongoing duty of care and post-operative surveillance.
The toolkit was developed with input from:
- consumers and patients with lived experience
- clinical experts across surgery, radiology and pathology
- key regulatory bodies.
Download the Management of breast implants toolkit (PDF 567.4 KB)
Breast implant safety: Patient information
Published: March 2024. Next review: 2029.
Information about getting breast implants for breast reconstruction or cosmetic reasons. Based on the best available evidence and developed in partnership with consumers and clinical experts, it helps people consider:
- surgery types and implant options
- how to choose a surgeon
- risks and complications
- follow-up care and breast screening.