Mum 'almost killed by boob job' after doctors discovered rare type of cancer linked to her scandal-hit brand of implant
A mum has claimed that her decision to get a boob job nearly killed her, after developing a rare type of cancer linked to the cosmetic surgery.
Going under the knife for aesthetic reasons is something which has been done by record numbers of Brits over the past couple of decades.
According to statistics from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), breast augmentation regularly tops the charts as the most popular type of surgery among women, with over 5,000 Brits having the procedure done in 2024.
However, there have been growing concerns about the safety of the procedure.
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One woman to suffer potentially fatal complications from her surgery was 51-year-old mum Colette Cooper, who was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer after having the surgery in 2014.
When did Colette realise something was wrong with her implants?
In March 2025, Colette woke up to discover that her left implant had doubled in size.
"I woke up one morning and noticed my left breast was loads bigger than the other, it was more than double the size," the concerned mum-of-two explained, adding: "I went straight to the doctors the next day."
An ultrasound would later discover 240mls of fluid had formed around her left breast, between the breast implant capsule, a layer of scar tissue that naturally forms after surgery, and the implant.
The recruitment worker's terrifying journey wouldn't end there either, as tests would reveal that she'd developed a rare form of cancer - breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma - from the 11-year-old implants.
What is breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)?
According to the World Health Organisation, BIA-ALCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
It's currently believed the cancer develops following an immune system reaction to textured implants.
The main symptom is a large amount of fluid collecting around the breast implant (known as a 'seroma'). Patients will usually experience a rapid, but painless increase in the size of their breast.
The news devastated Colette, who immediately began to fear about her future and what the diagnosis would mean for her children.
Fortunately the recruitment worker was able to have her implants removed, alongside part of her pec muscle in June. She is now cancer free.
However Colette was horrified to discover the disease was only related to textured implants, adding: "[The surgeon] did tell me that this [cancer] is only in textured implants. These implants have now been banned and taken off the market.
"I didn't know anything about it until this."
The rise in cases has even led to Allergan - one of the leading manufacturers of textured breast implants - to recall their BIOCELL textured implants.
Colette, who had Allergan implants, believes patients with recalled textured implants should now be offered a free removal.
"There's just not enough awareness about this. Unless you have visible swelling or pain, you'd have no idea," she said.
"If my breast hadn't been inflamed that day, I could've easily carried on with life and they might not have caught it early enough.
"It's not as uncommon as they're making out. Everybody who has these implants should at least be offered some sort of scan."
What is the current advice for people worried about their breast implants?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says there is no need for people with breast implants but no signs or symptoms of BIA-ALCL, to have them removed or checked.
But anyone with unusual signs or symptoms, such as swelling around their breast implant, should see a doctor.
LADbible has contacted Allergan for further comment.
Brenna Cooper