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Cancer warnings could be placed on all breast implants a decade after scandal left women ‘dying in silence’
Ministers are considering placing a cancer warning on all breast implants a decade after women had “a cocktail of chemicals meant for mattresses” in their bodies.
Experts and MPs are calling for tighter regulation and better support after PIP’s faulty breast implants scandal left women, including breast cancer survivors, ‘suffering and dying in silence’.
Health Minister Maria Caulfield pledged on Monday to consider the so-called “black box” warning on breast implant packaging as in the US.
She said women “need to be informed” that “any breast implant has the potential to cause a very rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.”
Horror experience: Yvonne Murphy (pictured) called the years of anxiety and health problems that followed PIP implants in 2008 “the worst experience of my life.”
It came during a debate over the faulty breast implants scandal in which 47,000 British women received “time bomb” implants made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).
PIP implants were banned in 2010 when it was revealed that they were made of low-quality silicone and were up to six times more likely to rupture.
Victims of the scandal have reported a wide range of serious side effects, as experts say they are linked to a number of health problems, including the new form of cancer.
PIP Action Campaign co-founder Jan Spivey, 61, received the implants as part of reconstructive surgery after breast cancer.
She said: “I thought the reconstruction would be part of the procedure to save my life – I didn’t think I would be looking at eight additional surgeries related to my PIP implant, and then in my last surgery I would be faced with massive internal bleeding that required another emergency surgery and I suffered a pulmonary embolism that almost killed me.
Dr. Henry Dijkman, who has studied the impacts of a wide range of silicone implants, said: “We know there are between 50 and 80 symptoms because silicone is toxic and can really trigger the immune system.”
Cancer is the most serious symptom. Silicone creates stress in the cell and when a cell is under a lot of stress it can cause mutations and eventually you can get cancer.”
Anyone with a PIP implant can officially request that the NHS remove it, but Labor MP Fleur Anderson said: “Many requests have been turned down, leaving women with a time bomb in their bodies.”
“They can’t afford to remove their implants in private, they’re worried they’ll rupture further, and they’re experiencing clear side effects.”
Since 2012, Ms. Murphy has had four cancer scares and registered as disabled from fibromyalgia.
The MHRA acknowledged the cancer risk of all breast implants, but said PIP implants carry no higher risk than any other.
A spokesperson said: ‘PIP implants have a higher risk of rupture, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms, but ruptured implants do not pose a serious health risk. We continue to monitor the safety of all breast implants, including PIP breast implants.
“We continually review adverse events reported to us, as well as published literature and other data sources, to determine whether the reports may indicate any increased or previously unrecognized risk.
“If further risks are identified, we will take appropriate steps to ensure they are communicated to patients so they can make informed decisions.
“Whether you are a patient or a healthcare professional, please let us know of any issues associated with the PIP implants so we can continue to monitor them closely.”