Breast Implants and MCAS Insights with Surgeon Eva Nagy: MCAS Matters with Tania Dempsey, MD

In this episode, Dr. Tania Dempsey interviews Dr. Eva Nagy about her research on mast cell activation in Breast Implant Illness (BII). Dr. Nagy found evidence that breast implants, even when not visibly ruptured, can cause systemic symptoms due to mast cell activation as silicone particles can leach through intact implants and induce an immune response. Her study involved analyzing mast cell density in breast implant capsules and demonstrated higher counts in symptomatic individuals compared to healthy controls. This suggests BII may often involve MCAS, with symptoms reducing significantly after explantation. Dr. Nagy stresses the importance of full capsulectomy during explantation to alleviate ongoing immune activation. She advises patients considering implants to be cautious, particularly those with pre-existing immune issues like MCAS, due to the potential for severe reactions and the complexity of removal surgery. The episode also touches on the interconnectedness of MCAS with other conditions like EDS, POTS, and various symptoms often exacerbated by triggers such as stress and chemical exposures.