Nanotech to pave way for safer breast implants
October 10th, 2011 - 7:26 pm ICT by IANSWashington, Oct 10 (IANS) There is cheering news for victims of breast cancer who feel disfigured by the partial or complete removal of their breasts.
Researchers led by Judit E. Puskas from The University of Akron, US, are currently developing an alternative nanostructured material to silicone rubber that will minimize complications.
The new material will also be able to deliver cancer drugs locally to improve the efficacy of treatment and minimize side-effects of chemotherapy, the journal Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology reports.
“If successful, our material could be used for implants with drug delivery capabilities,” said Puskas, according to an Akron statement.
Until now, the only option available to women undergoing breast reconstruction and augmentation was based on silicone rubber.
But the use of silicone implants creates plenty of complications, including other forms of cancer and psychological disease.
Around 75 percent of post-mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely) patients chose some kind of breast reconstruction.
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Tags: breast cancer, breast implants, breast reconstruction, breasts, cancer drugs, chemotherapy, delivery capabilities, drug delivery, efficacy, mastectomy, nanomedicine, psychological disease, puskas, side effects of chemotherapy, silicone implants, silicone rubber, university of akron