Siham Azahaf, M.D., Ph.D Candidate
MEDICAL ADVISOR, BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS RESEARCHER
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Last Modified: January 28, 2024
Ms. Dr. Siham Azahaf, a Ph.D. candidate at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, specializes in systemic symptoms in women with silicone breast implants. Committed to identifying a biomarker for breast implant illness, she collaborates with a diverse team, including her supervisor, Prof. Dr. Prabath Nanayakkara, through a coordinated initiative by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport.
Dr. Siham Azahaf and her colleague Dr. Spit see patients in the outpatient clinic at Amsterdam University Medical Center, where they research and provide a unique opportunity for novel research initiatives, advancing medical knowledge in the field.
Dr. Siham Azahaf actively contributes to Amsterdam Public Health - Quality of Care as a junior council member, dedicated to optimizing healthcare quality for individuals and patient groups.
Additionally, she is a member of WACEM - Flame, actively working to advance female leadership in Emergency Medicine, with a focus on fostering excellence and inclusivity in medical leadership roles.
Dr. Azahaf’s Story
I became involved in the topic during a scientific internship as part of my Master’s degree, where I explored a potential diagnostic marker, the "platinum hair test," for gel bleed. My fascination with the subject, commitment to supporting women's health, and inherent curiosity further propelled me to seek a deeper understanding, culminating in my decision to pursue a Ph.D. focused on this topic.
Driven by a desire to understand what was happening in the field and to foster international collaboration, I sought to unite voices across this domain. This led me to connect with Laura and then Heidi, with whom we formed a Task Force.
After meeting the board online and meeting Maria and Jasmine in the U.S., it was evident that our visions aligned perfectly. My aim is to uncover insights that could benefit those experiencing systemic symptoms from silicone breast implants.
Education
Current: Ph.D. Internal Medicine, BII
Vrije Universiteit — Master of Science with distinction, Medicine
Vrije Universiteit — Bachelor of science, Medicine
Affiliations
Amsterdam University Medical Center
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
National institute for public health and the environment (RIVM)
Amsterdam Public Health
World Academic Congress of Emergency Medicine – Female Leadership Conclave
Media
Published Research Team
1. Nanayakkara PW, de Blok CJ. Silicone Gel Breast Implants: What We Know About Safety After All These Years. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164(3):199-200.
2. Spit KA, Azahaf S, de Blok CJM, Nanayakkara PWB. Measuring Platinum Levels in Hair in Women with Silicone Breast Implants and Systemic Symptoms. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022;10(6):e4373.
3. Spit KA, Scharff M, de Blok CJ, Niessen FB, Bachour Y, Nanayakkara PW. Patient-reported systemic symptoms in women with silicone breast implants: a descriptive cohort study. BMJ Open. 2022;12(6):e057159.
4. Maijers MC, de Blok CJ, Niessen FB, van der Veldt AA, Ritt MJ, Winters HA, et al. Women with silicone breast implants and unexplained systemic symptoms: a descriptive cohort study. Neth J Med. 2013;71(10):534-40.
5. Todorov TI, de Bakker E, Smith D, Langenberg LC, Murakata LA, Kramer MHH, et al. A Case of Silicone and Sarcoid Granulomas in a Patient with "Highly Cohesive" Silicone Breast Implants: A Histopathologic and Laser Raman Microprobe Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9).
6. Lieffering AS, Hommes JE, Ramerman L, Rakhorst HA, Mureau MAM, Verheij RA, et al. Prevalence of Local Postoperative Complications and Breast Implant Illness in Women With Breast Implants. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2236519.*Commentary
7. Dijkman H, Slaats I, Bult P. Assessment of Silicone Particle Migration Among Women Undergoing Removal or Revision of Silicone Breast Implants in the Netherlands. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(9):e2125381.
8. Spit KA, Azahaf, S et al. A Rare Observation of Silicone-Associated Scleroderma-Like Syndrome: How to Recognize and Diagnose Similar Cases. Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases. 2023;2(9):e221290.
Amsterdam UMC: Dutch Media Feature
Patiënten met mogelijke klachten na het plaatsen van siliconen borstimplantaten kunnen verwezen worden naar de de siliconenpoli in het Amsterdam. Deze klachten kunnen bijvoorbeeld bestaan uit vermoeidheid, gewrichtsklachten en haaruitval. Dit wordt ook wel Breast Implant Illness (BII) genoemd. In dit filmpje geven wij antwoord op de meest gestelde vragen van patiënten. In dit filmpje worden 6 frequently asked questions over klachten bij siliconen borstimplantaten óf Breast Implant Illness (BII) beantwoord door twee dokters van de Siliconenpoli in het Amsterdam UMC.
Meer informatie: https://bit.ly/3yHf1h8