Orange County, California
Breast Implant Safety Information
For the past several years, there have been many reports in the media about women with breast implants who have autoimmune disease or breast cancer. Also during this time, many respected medical professionals and institutions have conducted scientific studies about the safety of breast implants.
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute recently completed a study of 13,500 women who received silicone gel implants for cosmetic reasons prior to 1989. Researchers found no significant increase in breast cancer incidence or mortality.
Institute of Medicine
In June 1999, the National Academy Institute of Medicine issued a report that included the following conclusion:
"In an overall consideration of the epidemiological evidence, the committee noted that because there are more than 1.5 million adult women of all ages in the United States with silicone breast implants, some of these women would be expected to develop connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other systemic complaints or conditions. Evidence suggests that such diseases or conditions are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants."
From Information for Women About the Safety of Silicone Breast Implants – A Report of a Study by the Institute of Medicine.
National Science Panel
In October 1996, Judge Sam C. Pointer Jr., the coordinating judge for federal breast implant litigation, established the Rule 706 National Science Panel. The purpose of this panel was to investigate scientific data about breast implants and their possible relation to connective tissue diseases and immune system dysfunction.
The panel reviewed over 2,000 medical documents and heard testimony from legal, medical and scientific experts. The panel released their findings in November 1998, and concluded that there are no identifiable associations between the use of silicone implants and disease.
Independent Review Group
The Independent Review Group (IRG) on Silicone Breast Implants was assembled by the Chief Medical Officer of the UK to review the possible health issues associated with silicone gel breast implants. Members of the IRG were selected for their independent views, their knowledge and understanding of the issues, and lack of any financial interest in the conclusions they reached.
Led by Professor Roger D. Sturrock, MD, FRCP, the IRG reported in 1998 that there is no scientific evidence of an association between silicone gel-filled breast implants and any established connective tissue disease.
European Committee on Quality Assurance
In July 1998, the European Committee on Quality Assurance and Medical Devices in Plastic Surgery released a report that contained the following conclusions:
"There are conclusive scientific—clinical, immunological, epidemiological—data, that silicone gel-filled breast implants do not cause any autoimmune nor connective tissue diseases." Their report also stated, "Updated studies continue to show that silicone gel-filled implants do not cause cancer nor other malignant disease."
©2009