WOMEN WIN RETHINK ON DODGY IMPLANT ..
By Jonathan Corke
WOMEN fitted with dodgy PIP breast implants have scored a major victory in their battle to get them removed.
Campaigners questioned the findings of an official review which rejected calls for their routine removal.
Now, we can reveal, a key group of experts involved in NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh’s review is being “reconvened” to consider the campaigners’ questions.
Around 47,000 UK women were given the French-made implants, which were illegally filled with industrial-grade silicone.
The women’s concerns include the presence of potentially dangerous chemicals inside the implants.
One chemical – D4 – has been linked to reduced fertility.
And a Daily Star Sunday investigation has discovered hundreds of “adverse” reports about the implants were made to the regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Since December 2011 there have been at least 42 reports of swelling or inflammation, 48 of “pain”, 25 “lump formation” and 64 “possible systemic adverse reactions”.
During that time 770 ruptures have been reported and 57 “gel bleeds”.
In the UK and elsewhere links have also been made to cancer cases.
And other countries have recommended all PIPs be removed as a preventive measure.
But the British Government has played down health fears and refused to change its mind.
Jan Spivey, who runs the PIP Action Campaign, has helped force the MHRA to reconvene its expert toxicology group to think again.
She said: “Women with PIPs have been let down and continue to be let down. We want preventive removals of all PIP implants and long-term monitoring.”
