Prostheses that Cause Breast Cancer

Prostheses that Cause Breast Cancer

Breast surgery is the second most executed esthetic intervention around the world. A lot of women are asking themselves if their prosthetics is the Prosthesis Poly Implant (PIP), which has been withdrawn from the market (www.pipfrance.fr).

Galician authorities found that a company was producing a type of silicone prosthesis that was not approved. According to the analysis that was conducted, the prosthesis contained a gel of lower quality, a greater irritation power, and a 5% rate of breakage (normal rate ranges from 0.5% to 1%).

According to the conducted research, the silicone used contained a fuel additive, ship material (Basylone) and two others used for the manufacturing of rubber (Silopren and Rhodorsil).

Jaume Serra, plastic surgeon at the Hospital Virgen del Consuelo, says that when an implant is torn, the silicone gel gets closer to the nearest tissues. He explains that some patients can remain unaffected while others can be seriously damaged. For example, the liquid can form a sort of capsule around the implant, or lymph nodes can appear around the area, both bringing swelling and pain to the patient (www.daily-news.eu/es).

According to Dr. Serra and Eva Giménez, a spokesman for Affected by PIP prosthesis, this risk can be prevented by eliminating all prostheses as a protective measure by following the guidelines set out by the Galician Government. However, the Ministry of Health suggests contacting the surgeon responsible for organizing a scheduled periodic check-up, and only if the tear of the prosthesis is found, the surgeon shall then proceed with its removal. Andrew Kabsley, British Minister of Health, indicates that there is no evidence of a link between cancer and toxicity, therefore there is no reason for the routinely removal of these implants (www.ayudaafectadasporprotesispip.com).

It is worth recalling the news that, even though seemingly trivial, stirred more reactions than an advertising campaign on the early detection of breast cancer. In the U.S., the discovery of two separate breast cancers in the wives of President Ford and Vice President Rockefeller led to an increase of this disease, since women, alarmed by it, rushed to get mammograms, which led to the detection of cancers that would otherwise not have been discovered (www.aceprensa.com). Translated by Gianna A. Sanchez-Moretti.

Author and journalist Clemente Ferrer has led a distinguished career in Spain in the fields of publicity and press relations. He is currently President of the European Institute of Marketing.
clementeferrer3@gmail.com