Four times Grammy winner SZA opens up about her decision to take it breast implants was removed.
The 34-year-old discussed the decision in a new interview with the “SHE MD” podcast.hosted by former fashion designer Mary Alice Haney and OB-GYN Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, who counts SZA as one of her patients.
SZA, whose full name is Solána Imani Rowe, recounted a visit with Aliabadi, aka Dr. A on the podcast, and she said her mother had Breast cancer. Aliabadi also said that the “SOS” star had previously dealt with non-cancerous lumps in her breast.
SZA attends the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images, FILE
“He was telling me all this about my testosterone levels and PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome]and all these things that I was struggling with but didn’t really know what was happening to me,” SZA said.
Aliabadi added, “You had a fibroadenoma, which is a benign, you know, breast mass that a lot of young girls have.”
SZA said she should have consulted Aliabadi before getting breast implants, but she didn’t.
“I should have seen you before I had my breast surgery, but I didn’t and I did it in secret anyway,” she said.
The singer-songwriter said she didn’t have the implants for long.
“So basically, I put them in. They ended up hurting me. I got too much scar tissue… It didn’t feel right and it was painful, so I took them out,” she said.
Although not linked to breast cancer, doctors say breast implants may come with other potential risks.
ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton, said the risks of breast implants include persistent pain, scarring, contraction or shortening of muscles or scar tissue, the rare risk of the implants rupturing or deflating, or a rare risk of developing cancer such as squamous cell. carcinoma and lymphoma, most often associated with older forms of implants that are no longer used.
For saline and silicone implants, Sutton said scientific research shows there is no difference in safety factors between the types of materials.
“Overall, when you look at the data, they’re just as safe. They both have a silicone shell, so there’s really no way to avoid silicone,” Sutton said. “Good Morning America” Tuesday. “For these gel-filled silicone implants, if they rupture, they can be more difficult to repair and lead someone to one decision over another.”
Most data show that women with and without implants are diagnosed with breast cancer at similar rates, but women with implants may require additional images to be taken during a mammogram to improve imaging quality.
Sutton said implants are generally safe, but it’s still important to stay aware of one’s health and pay attention to any new symptoms that may arise, such as skin changes, swelling or pain. Sutton also said it’s important to keep health records.
“Breast implants, as well as any device implanted in the body, have a device card that has information down to the lot number and serial number. You may need that for future needs,” Sutton said.
“Also, call ahead for your mammograms,” Sutton added. “[Make] make sure the imager is experienced in imaging breast implants, and then, if needed, you may want to consider other forms of imaging such as MRI or ultrasound.”
