ANALYSIS:NOTWITHSTANDING the health scare emanating from France, there is no scientific evidence to suggest the Poly Implant Prothese silicone-gel breast implants cause cancer.
A French woman who had these implants inserted in 2005 died recently from a cancer of the lymph glands, reportedly some time after the implant ruptured near her armpit.
Safety concerns around the French-made implants emerged in 2010, but these were focused on a high rupture rate and not because of a feared link with any type of cancer.
Of course it is not acceptable that the implants rupture relatively frequently, as this means the breast tissue is directly exposed to silicone.
As a foreign body this triggers a local inflammatory response in some women.
Such a response can cause breast pain, lumpiness or the breast may feel unnaturally hot. Other symptoms include swelling under the arm or a hot area in the armpit.
French regulators have reported the silicone used in the implants was of a particularly coarse nature and was manufactured for use in mattresses and not intended for insertion in humans.
But representative bodies for plastic surgeons here and in Britain have said there is no known link between these implants and cancer.
Former breast-cancer patients here who opted for reconstructive surgery have no need to worry as these implants were not used as part of their care. It appears the 1,500 or so women who received the implants in the Republic did so in private hospitals and clinics; they elected to have cosmetic surgery in these units.
Anyone concerned about the scare should contact the surgeon and clinic who carried out their procedure. They should ask about the likelihood of these implants rupturing and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having them removed as a precautionary measure.