PIP Breast Implants Bursting
January 17th, 2013The recent scandal of the PIP breast implants has caused many issues for women with the implants, many have tried to have them removed and replaced with some clinics offering the service for free. However, others are not as lucky and have had to pay for the operation again out of their own pocket. The scandal led to a review, which has finally come to an end and a report has been released. The report has found that the gel will not be a long-term threat to the health of women who have the implants.
The report showed that the implants were not made of toxic or carcinogenic silicone filler. Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS medical director said the PIP implants would still rupture twice as likely as other implants.
About 47,000 women in the UK have PIP implants with around 95% fitted privately and a small minority on the NHS following cancer for breast reconstruction surgery.
Prof Keogh and his team found there was insufficient evidence to show that the removal of PIP implants was necessary, however they did identify the worry that the problem was causing.
Their research found no link between the implants and cancer and evidence was inclusive of the increase of rupture rates. The final report has now been published and Prof Keogh says tests in many countries have, “shown that the implants are not toxic and therefore we do not believe they are a threat to the long-term health of women who have PIP implants”.
He noted that the PIP implants were not of the same standards as other breast implants and they were more likely to rupture. The report said that they would recommend women who have symptoms such as tenderness, soreness or lumpiness to speak to their GP or surgeon.
Women who had their PIP implants on the NHS can still have them removed or replaced free of charge. The NHS in England and Scotland will also remove private patients implants but not replace them.
It is important to remember to ask questions when having any cosmetic procedure, in addition to breast enlargement, and finding out the risks that may occur.