French PIP Breast Implants Come Under Scrutiny Worldwide for Lymphoma Risk

Authorities worldwide are warning women who had breast implant surgery to get checks because the French company that produced the implants has been accused of using defective material.

Breast implants for years have come under scrutiny after problems emerged; implants have leaked and other health and welfare issues have been associated with defective breast implants.

Our defective product attorneys recognize that breast implant surgery is more common today than ever before since it has become more affordable. It is commonly done on women who have had breast cancer and require the surgery. Others decide to get the elective surgery simply to improve their looks or self-esteem.

And as the product has become safer after years of testing and monitoring, there are still risks. The surgery itself can be dangerous, but the product can have long-lasting effects if it is defective.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns women with breast implants have a small, but possible risk of developing ALCL, or anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Scientists examined cases of 34 women with implants on top of reading expert writings, manufacturer literature and other information.

Since there are five to 10 million breast implant recipients worldwide, such a small study can’t say that implants cause the disease. While the case number is small worldwide and it’s unclear how much of a connection there is, the agency warns women that silicone- and saline-filled implants can lead to the illness after noticing changes in the look or feel around the area of implant.

Czechoslovakia government officials have told women to undergo checks of their implants if theirs came from the French company Poly Implant Prothese SA, which is now defunct. Distribution of the implants halted in 2010 after a woman died from cancer after having breast implant surgery.

The Australian consumer goods agency is now investigating PIP implants as well. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that some 400,000 women worldwide ordered the implants. The company went bankrupt in 2010 after an investigation into the business found it was using an unapproved and less-expensive industrial grade silicone in some of its products. The gel was found to increase the risk of leaks and lead to cancer.

The Australian news report goes on to say that new information out of France states that the risk may be higher than once thought, though that hasn’t been confirmed. It’s also possible that France officials will pay for removal of the implants, but other countries haven’t been as quick to act. Based partly on the FDA report that the cancer is rare and not conclusively linked to the breast implants, some experts don’t necessarily agree that there is an increased risk of cancer.

Certainly, a leaking breast implant isn’t a good thing because foreign objects would be introduced into the body. And given that there is even some evidence that women with breast implant leaks have gotten cancer, all women who have implants should take note. These defective products obviously come with a risk that can be avoided and it’s on the manufacturer to make sure they are created properly.