Silicone breast implants have been used for many years for breast enlargement and are very popular. However, some women worried that they developed autoimmune illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or even cancers, as a result of having silicone implants.
Most problems have been associated not with silicone implants, but with liquid silicone injected directly into the breast. Silicone injections are now banned in the US and the UK.
A lot of research has been carried out to see whether silicone implants cause health problems. No link has been found between silicone implants and the development of cancer in humans. The American advisory body on drugs – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – banned the use of silicone implants in the United States several years ago when the doubts were first raised. They are now being used in the US again, but only for women in research studies. A statement from the American National Institute of Health in October 1997 said: ‘There is no convincing evidence that a silicone implant causes cancer or autoimmune disease.’
In the UK, the Department of Health asked medical specialists to assess the safety of silicone implants several times in recent years. The last occasion was in July 1998. Each time, after carefully reviewing all the available information, they found there is no good evidence of an abnormal immune response to silicone and no evidence for a link with connective tissue disease. They therefore believe that there is no reason to stop using silicone implants.
All breast implant operations are now recorded on a form which is sent to the UK Breast Implant Registry. Any side effects are reported. If problems occur, all the women who have implants can then be contacted and action can be taken.
It is important to talk through any concerns with your breast care nurse, surgeon or a cancer support organisation before you have an implant.
from cancerbackup.org
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