Fillers DON'T Cause Cancer: The Problem with Clickbait Headlines

There have been a number of articles and social media posts linking fillers and cancer in the headlines, which I find both misleading and incredibly irresponsible.

Not only is it potentially scaring and upsetting people for clicks and likes, it also contributes to this overall trend we see of science misinformation and a lack of interest in critical appraisal or nuance, because that’s what gets people riled up on social media.

Research presented at the Annual Scientific conference of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons states that excessive filler has the potential to block lymphatic systems. No other information from the actual study is yet available.

This is not new information. Nor is there a logical progression from this to the developement of any disease.

The talk in question was titled “Use of lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of overfilled faces.”

Looking at how - specifically - OVERFILLED faces may lead lymphatic bloackage is a world away from linking a safe use of appropriately placed filler by medical professionals to cancer.

I mean - what a leap.

Anyone who has ever had filler knows that a side effect of filler may be some swelling, usually temporary, but if persisting filler can be dissolved.

BAAPS president Marc Pacifico said: “People don’t need to panic and have fillers dissolved. This is preliminary research but it gives us a scientific explanation for side-effects we are seeing with fillers.” Consultant dermatologist Prof Caitriona Ryan stated there is no scientific foundation for fears that filler could impact the immune system or increase cancer risk.

We must not let sensational headlines and unsubstantiated claims divert our focus from genuine scientific research and evidence-based discussions.

Check out our summary slides below:

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