Dr. Siham Azahaf Interviewed About Breast Implant Illness in Dutch Editorial
Dr. Siham Azahaf, a physician and researcher at the Silicone Clinic of Amsterdam UMC, studies the impact of silicone breast implants and works with women experiencing health complaints. Her role involves diagnosing and treating symptoms associated with breast implant illness (BII), advocating for implant removal when necessary, and supporting patients through comprehensive health advice and shared decision-making.
Dr. Azahaf was recently featured in a DOQ Netherlands article by reporter Ruth Wouters, originally published on July 10, 2024.
Read the first few paragraphs here, and then use the Google Translate Chrome plug-in to read the full article in English on the DOQ Netherlands website.
DOQ Netherlands: 'It is not uncommon for women to be told that it is all in their head'
Joint complaints, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fatigue: these are just a few of the health complaints that can arise from silicone breast implants. It is not without reason that the implants have been the subject of debate about their safety since their introduction in the 1960s. At the same time, affected women still encounter disbelief and rejection from doctors. Siham Azahaf, physician and researcher at the silicone clinic of the Amsterdam UMC, was triggered by this controversy. She researches the impact of implants and guides women with complaints.
About 1 in 30 women in the Netherlands has breast implants. It is not known exactly how many experience complaints. “Women often have complaints but do not attribute them to the implants. Doctors do not often think about it, or they deny that the problems could be related to the implants. It is not uncommon for women to be told that it’s all in your head,” says Siham Azahaf.
“We consistently see a typical picture of complaints that improve after removal of the implants.”
— Physician and researcher Siham Azahaf
DOQ.nl is an online platform where healthcare professionals have their say. For over 10 years, it has been the place where more than 17,000 doctors, pharmacists, nurses and researchers share knowledge and vision with their colleagues in a closed environment. The DOQ.nl platform aims to inspire healthcare professionals, share practical knowledge of colleagues and build bridges between the various disciplines.