"We felt a commitment to post that the study was out, but we couldn't in good faith promote the information available in the journal until it was available in hard copy," said Newman. However, she seemed surprised when asked if NCI plans to tout the study come November. "We've already posted the press release, so why would we distribute old news?" she said.

Brinton's study is not the first to declare that silicone breast implants are not linked to breast cancer, but it is believed to be the most comprehensive. Unlike previous studies that tracked the effects of implants for less than a decade, Brinton's followed nearly 14,000 women who had implant surgery for cosmetic reasons in both breasts for 13 years. In addition to refuting some earlier findings that appeared to link cancer to implants, Brinton's study also counters other research suggesting an actual reduction in risk for implant recipients, a finding that perplexed researchers.

So given the estimated 1.5 million women with breast implants -- and the huge number considering having them -- why not tout the results to journalists who could disseminate the information to a mass audience? The reason, according to Vastag, is that Brinton herself wanted NCI to play mum -- even though she herself has touted the project as "the most comprehensive epidemiological study of breast implants to date."

Vastag said that Brinton was concerned because in the past she has been criticized by competing interests on all sides of the issue, especially lawyers defending the implant industry. Brinton herself denied that she asked the NCI not to publicize the findings. But she did acknowledge that the breast implant issue is so emotional that it sometimes appears impossible to satisfy anyone.

Throughout nine years of research, she says she was scrutinized by people who worried that her report might provide ammunition to anti-implant advocates. She said she has met with those on all sides of the issue -- breast implant survivor groups as well as plastic surgeons and implant manufacturers. "If I talk to one contingent, another contingent uses that as evidence that I'm siding with that group," she explained.

According to breast cancer expert and author Dr. Susan Love, since Brinton's research confirms earlier findings it is ultimately a ripple, not a rupture, on the field of breast cancer research -- but reading or hearing about it would help those most affected. "Maybe women with implants can feel more comfortable now," she said.