BISA Members Traveling to Tampa to Meet with Breast Implant Cancer Survivors During the World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL

BIA-ALCLBreast Implant Safety
Written By Breast Implant Safety Alliance

Tampa, April 2025 – Members of the Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA) will be in Tampa, Florida during the International Breast Surgery Workshop (IBSW) and World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL, where experts will discuss the latest research on Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and breast implant safety.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon but serious type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system) that develops in the scar tissue and fluid surrounding breast implants. It is not breast cancer but a form of T-cell lymphoma linked primarily to textured breast implants.

About the Conference

The 10th International Breast Surgery Workshop (IBSW) and the 6th World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL is scheduled for April 11-12, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. The event will feature leading experts in breast surgery and implant safety. It is important to note that in-person attendance is not open to everyone per conference organizers however the conference is free to stream. For more details and registration, visit the official IBSW website.

Why This Conference Matters

BIA-ALCL is an uncommon but serious cancer linked to textured breast implants, and continued research is critical to understanding its causes, early detection, and treatment. Despite increased awareness, many women and medical professionals remain uninformed about the risks associated with breast implants. Some of the implants associated with these cancers are still on the market today.

The conference will also address other implant-associated cancers that are unfortunately associated with all implant types (saline, silicone, smooth and textured.) Megan Fracol MD presented this topic at the conference last year in the presentation, “When to Consider Other Lymphomas and Implant Associated Cancers” which begins at 1:00:07 of the recording.

BISA Plans to Gather BIA-ALCL Patients & Survivors

Some members of the BISA have attended and/or been presenters at this conference in the past. This year, BISA is helping to gather breast implant cancer patients and survivors to watch and discuss the conference presentations, share patient stories, support a documentary film crew and help raise awareness. By uniting those impacted, BISA can amplify patient voices, push for better diagnosis, treatment, and research. Every story matters, and by standing together, BIA-ALCL patients can drive meaningful change, empower one another, and protect future generations from preventable harm. BISA believes in a strong, supportive community where no one has to navigate this journey alone. 

For questions concerning BIA-ALCL, or if you have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, please reach out to Jennifer Cook, BISA’s Director of BIA-ALCL Advocacy at jennifer.cook@bisanonprofit.org for additional information.

Why BIA-ALCL Needs Attention Now More Than Ever

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an underreported and often misunderstood cancer linked to textured breast implants. Most women were never warned about this risk of cancer caused by breast implants. While progress has been made in raising awareness, far too many women remain unaware of the risks, the voluntary recall, and that some of the very implants associated with this cancer are still on the market today. 

BISA is calling on journalists, health reporters, and media outlets to shine a light on BIA-ALCL and the real experiences of those affected. By covering this event, media can help inform women who may not even know they’re at risk, highlight the gaps in diagnosis and treatment, and hold the industry accountable for patient safety. The BISA team will be available for interviews, expert insights, and share patient stories that need to be heard.

This is not just about awareness—it’s about action. We invite you to help shine a light on the realities of BIA-ALCL, amplify survivor voices, and ensure this issue is no longer ignored.

To schedule an interview or connect with BISA, contact:

📩 Jennifer Cook, Director of BIA-ALCL Advocacy
jennifer.cook@bisanonprofit.org
📩 Terri McGregor, BIA-ALCL Advocate & Canadian Representative
terri.mcgregor@bisanonprofit.org
📩 Maria Gmitro, President & Founder
maria@bisanonprofit.org

A Few Things the Public Should Know

  • Not all healthcare providers are trained to recognize BIA-ALCL and many doctors are still not aware of BIA-ALCL. Some may dismiss symptoms as “normal” implant issues.

  • Implants associated with these cancers still remain on the market today.

  • Patients carry a lifetime risk even if they have had these implants removed.
    Informed consent is crucial for women considering breast implant patients.

  • Long-term safety data and post-market surveillance is still needed.

  • Women need to self advocate and ask for referrals to specialists familiar with BIA-ALCL.

  • Public awareness is needed to help raise awareness of BIA-ALCL symptoms and diagnosis.

BISA Contributions & Patient Advocate Involvement at the 5th World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL

BISA members Jennifer Cook and Terri McGregor helped shape some of the content of the conference by submitting topics of particular importance to patients and patient advocates. In response to our requests, conference organizers Dr. Fabio Santanelli di Pompeo and Dr. Mark Clemens created a separate virtual session focused on patient education at the end of the conference. 

The virtual session also included a presentation by BIA-ALCL survivor and patient advocate Krisztina Sajósi from Hungary. Her presentation, titled Shaping Tomorrow: Perspectives on the Future of BIA-ALCL, is extremely powerful and a must-watch! Read more

Looking for Support for BIA-ALCL?

Patients often have difficulty finding support when facing a diagnosis of BIA-ALCL. BISA’s Jennifer Cook is a dedicated patient advocate, survivor, and lead administrator of the largest BIA-ALCL Support Group. After her own diagnosis, Jennifer turned her experience into a mission to educate, support, and empower others facing BIA-ALCL. Through her online support community, she provides critical resources, guidance on diagnosis and treatment, and a compassionate space for patients to connect. Jennifer’s unwavering commitment continues to help patients navigate their journeys while ensuring that no one faces BIA-ALCL alone and can be found on Facebook as Jennifer Roth and contacted via email at jennifer.cook@bisanonprofit.org.

BISA Approved BIA-ALCL Support Group

5th World Consensus Conference on BIA-ALCL (2024)

The Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA) is the largest organization of board-certified patient advocates and subject matter experts in the world dedicated to patient and consumer safety relating to breast implants. Representing the millions of individuals worldwide that currently have, had, or are considering breast implants, the alliance is a non-industry funded leading authority dedicated to providing balanced, evidence-based information for informed decision making about breast implant surgery and related issues. Founded in 2019 by women, BISA is a grassroots nonprofit organization led by volunteers who do not receive a salary for their work. 

For questions, please contact Jennifer Cook, Director of BIA-ALCL Advocacy. Email her directly at jennifer.cook@bisanonprofit.org.

Breast Implant Safety Alliance https://bisanonprofit.org
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