‘No cancer link’ to PIP breast implants

There is no evidence that women who have PIP breast implants are at higher risk of cancer, European regulators have concluded.

Women also do not need to have the faulty implants removed as a precaution, although they may wish to have them taken out if they feel anxious, according to a review of PIP safety published by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks.

Around 1,500 Irish women are thought to have been given the implants manufactured by the closed French company Poly Implant Prothese.

The implants were filled with non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses and have been linked to reports of rupture and swelling in the body.

A review last year by NHS medical director, Professor Bruce Keogh, concluded the implants were not toxic or carcinogenic. But it acknowledged the distress caused to many women by having them in their bodies.

The European study said PIP implants have not been associated with higher risks of cancer.

It added: “Laboratory tests on PIP implants have been negative for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.”

The study said PIP implants have been subjected to chemical analysis “in an effort to find organic and inorganic compounds (including heavy metals) that may be potentially toxic, but none have been found even at very low levels”.

It said the probability of rupture for PIP implants is estimated to be around 25% to 30% 10 years after implantation, while other silicone breast implants have a rupture rate of 2% to 15% after 10 years.

The EU review said women should have the implants removed if they rupture while other women should have them reviewed regularly to make sure they were intact.

Earlier this year, the High Court ordered the winding up of a cosmetic surgery clinic being sued by a number of women who claim the clinic fitted them with allegedly defective silicone breast implants. The Harley Medical Group (Ireland) Limited, Herbert Place, Dublin, petitioned the High Court for a winding-up order and appointment of a liquidator on grounds it is insolvent.