IMB confirms ‘small’ number of breast implant problems

THE Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has confirmed that a small number of Irishwomen have had problems with the breast implants at the centre of a health scare in France.

About 1,500 Irishwomen received the French-made Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) implants, which were withdrawn from use last year amid concerns they were prone to rupturing and leaking an inferior grade silicone.

While tests conducted in France found no evidence that the materials posed a risk, fears of health implications have been revived after it emerged the implants are under investigation as a possible cause of cancer in four women there. It is expected the French authorities, under pressure from groups representing about 30,000 patients, will announce a scheme to enable them have the implants removed.