Mad about breast implants.

Raisins Prunes. Kagat ng lamok. Maliit na hinaharap.

These are just a few of the words and phrases meant to demean small-breasted or flat-chested Filipino women. Men, and occasionally women, can entertain themselves for hours just churning out a list of small-breasted women to make fun of. Flat isn't even a size. It's a joke. In a world where size does matter and bigger is better, breast size has evolved to symbolize a woman's sexual prowess, status, self-esteem and beauty. Breasts have been equated with a woman's self-worth. This is an idea that the media reinforces time and time again and which men have come to expect from their partners. Views and expectations that Filipino men and women, especially from the Cordilleras, did not have years ago.

In interviews with Baguio-based men, 50% said they preferred big breasts 45% said they preferred medium breasts, while only five percent said they preferred small breasts. These men who preferred big breasts said small breasts were unattractive, unappealing and posed no sexual challenge whatsoever disregarding the biological fact that Asian women have smaller breasts compared to their Caucasian counterparts.

It is this attitude that drives some women to go under the knife just to satisfy these twisted notions society has about their breasts. Others may just do it for fun. Still others do it because they would like to feel more attractive.

Whatever the reasons, it is still important to consider the consequences of having breast implants and how the procedure will be carried out.

Breast Implants

There are two major kinds of breast implants. Silicone gel implants (although it has been banned) can be used under special circumstances such as if a woman has a failed saline implant or has experienced complications from a saline implant. Silicone gel implants is also used for breast reconstruction or implant replacement.

Saline implants are now the most common type of breast implants. It has one major advantage. If ever they break, saline is basically salt and water; which will be harmlessly absorbed by the body.

Breast Implant Risks

What are the risks involved? At the time of the procedure, complications can include bleeding and infection. Other risks include: hardening of the breast due to scar tissue, leak or rupture, loss of sensation in the nipple or breast, shifting of the implant from its original position and interference with mammography reading that may hamper cancer detection.

Breast implants are irreversible procedures. During the procedure, the doctor may have to remove a small amount of original breast tissue in order to create a pocket for the new implant Unfortunately, any removed tissue can never be put back, and if a woman wants to remove the implants, her breasts may be smaller than they originally were. The skin has also been stretched over time to accommodate the larger implant. If the implant is removed, the woman may end up with excess, saggy, droopy skin over her breasts. Breast implants will generally wear out after 10 to 15 years.

Other Risks Women Face

Obviously, there are a lot of costs and risks involved in having breast implants. And while women are preoccupied with implants, they may not realize that they face other risks such as breast cancer.

Breast cancer kills around 3,000 women every year and there are around 8,000 new cases yearly. Women should protect themselves form breast cancer, especially if they are over 50 years old or have a history of breast cancer in the family, or have never had children or who have had children when they were, over 30 years old. Breast cancers, when detected early and given prompt treatment have excellent chances of being cured.

Medical professionals advise women to have regular check-ups and learn the fine art of breast self-examination(BSE). Learning how to examine one's breasts properly and doing regular BSE can help save one's life in the future.

Conclusion

In the end a woman's desire to be attractive to the opposite sex may have dangerous consequences on her health. The ideals of men and society, which are reinforced by media and business, have been making Filipinas with small breasts feel unpretty and making them feel less of a woman.

Men and society should not control women's bodies by imposing infantile notions of beauty.

On the other hand; women should define their own ideals of beauty on their own terms. They should not only happily accept themselves and what they have, they should also be more health conscious.

Women should begin loving themselves more and value what they have. They should leave the inimical standards of society behind and live a life of happiness and contentment regardless of breast size.

Gayda L. Sayang-od is IGOROTA's business development officer.