Today, 340,000 French women are said to have breast implants. Faced with a figure which continues to increase, the Medicines Agency answers the questions of women.
Since the PIP fraudulent breast prostheses case, these silicone implants have been part of the implantable medical devices subject to special surveillance by the Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM). In this context, this health authority published a report on their use in France on Tuesday. And obviously, despite the scandal, the French do not seem discouraged.
As proof in 10 years, the number of women opting for breast augmentation has doubled, reaching 48,000 in 2013. As a result, since 2001, no less than 610,000 silicone gel-filled breast implants have been sold by eight different companies. All are closely monitored by the ANSM, which has not reported “any non-compliance likely to generate a risk to the health of patients” since 2010, date of the PIP scandal. In this context, the ANSM also wanted to answer the questions of women interested in this surgery.
What are the risks associated with wearing breast implants?
Several complications can be observed following the placement of breast implants: the formation of a “shell” or capsular contracture, the rupture of the implant, the formation of folds or the appearance of waves, the appearance of inflammatory reactions, infections. , pain … This list is not exhaustive.
Indeed, it is for example mentioned in the report of the National Cancer Institute (INCa) of March 2014 that anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an extremely rare pathology which has only been observed in women with breast implants. Based on data from the national expert network for double reading of lymphomas (LYMPHOPATH), 9 cases of mammary lymphomas associated with the presence of a breast implant have been recorded since the opening of the network on January 1, 2010.
However, the majority of the cases described presented a favorable outcome with local treatment. However, this report mentions that the data currently available confirm the absence of an increased risk of mammary adenocarcinoma in women with implants in comparison with the general population.
How long to keep your implants without needing to change them ?
Each manufacturer must communicate information on the expected lifespan of the implants it places on the market. However, it is difficult to estimate precisely this duration since it depends on the characteristics specific to each implanted person (tolerance of the body towards the implant, medical history, state of health …) and on the occurrence. possible complications.
A woman with an implant should expect to have other implant-related procedures in her life, at least for the removal or possible change of implants. It is important that the implanted person is regularly monitored by a doctor.
How quickly can implant rupture occur?
According to the incident reports reported to the Agency, the rupture rate (i.e. the ratio between the number of ruptured implants and the total number of implants placed) varies from 0.01 to 0.30%. According to these same statements, the average time to the onset of implant rupture is 7.6 years (time varying from a few months to several decades). This period depends on the operating conditions and the characteristics specific to each implanted person (tolerance of the body vis-à-vis the implant, medical history, state of health, etc.) and the possible occurrence of complications.
Does the presence of breast implants interfere with breast cancer screening by mammography?
Studies indicate that breast cancer in women with implants is not diagnosed late compared to women without implants. These claims by the Agency, however, contradict a Canadian study published on May 1 in the very famous British Medical Journal (BMJ). According to these researchers, the presence of breast implants would lead to a later screening for breast cancer.
Can I breastfeed my child if I have breast implants?
There is some evidence to suggest that the amount of milk produced by some women with breast implants is reduced. Reduction in milk production can occur if implants are placed through the peri-areolar route, as this placement can cut milk ducts.
Regarding the possible risks to babies of breastfeeding women with silicone gel breast implants, there is no evidence of consequences to date.
Is safety ensured in the manufacture of breast implants?
Eleven manufacturers of silicone breast implants were inspected by the ANSM between 2010 and 2013. Eight of these companies market silicone implants in France: Allergan, Laboratoire Arion, Cereplas, Eurosilicone, PVP-Sebbin , Polytech-Silimed, Mentor, and Perouse Plastie.
To date, the ANSM does not have any information that could call into question the safety of use of silicone breast implants placed on the French market.
Source: “Questions / answers on silicone gel breast implants: the point in 15 questions” / ANSM
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