An analysis of telephone interview data collected in 1992 from 820 women who reported problems with their breast implants to the food and drug administration.

How health care providers deal with concerns and feelings of women who have problems with their breast implants affects the women's satisfaction with their breast implants, yet in 1992 little was known about the concerns and feelings of these women. A qualitative analysis of in-depth telephone interviews conducted in 1992 with 820 women from all regions of the United States who reported problems with their breast implants to the Food and Drug Administration and responded to an invitation to be interviewed provided data. Respondents were primarily 40 to 69 years of age at the time of interview, Caucasian, married, and educated beyond high school. The sample was almost equally divided in reason for breast implants, with 65 percent being dissatisfied with their breast implants. Nearly all of the women had heard of problems with silicone gel-filled implants. Their main sources of information were television, newspapers, and magazines rather than their physicians or the breast implant manufacturers. Some women tried to avoid hearing the reports, and many tried to put the reported problems out of their minds. However, a majority (88.7 percent) wanted more information. The women expressed feelings of anger, regret, and worry, and repeatedly said they needed more information. Women who contacted the Food and Drug Administration about breast implant problems needed accurate and honest information from health care professionals. They wanted their physicians to explore their symptoms, fears, and concerns.