The story begins in March 2010 when the company Poly Implant Prothesis (PIP) was put into compulsory liquidation by the Toulon commercial court. The company acknowledges having produced breast prostheses non-compliant silicone.
The risk for carriers? Possible ruptures and leaks of silicone inside the patient’s body. As for the operations to remove implants, they turn out to be very expensive and therefore not accessible to everyone.
In all, more than 3,000 would be affected in France and a thousand complaints have already been filed by women wearing defective PIP breast implants. Among the 3,000 women, 20% are for reconstructive surgery following breast cancer and 80% for cosmetic surgery.
The Afssaps for its part had already decided in March to suspend the use of these prostheses. A clinical examination of the implanted women was also recommended every 6 months, instead of every year. Yesterday, the Afssaps continued by recommending the removal of prostheses in the event of a suspected rupture.
This morning, the Minister of Health, Roselyne Bachelot announced that Social Security would fully cover the medical and surgical costs: “I will cover for all these women the ultrasounds, the analyzes, the removal of these unsuitable prostheses as well. that the control examinations and which will follow the operating period “, indicated Roselyne Bachelot on the radio RTL. She added “for women recovering from breast cancer surgery I have requested that health insurance pay for the new prosthesis.”
For all the women concerned, a toll-free number has been set up by Afssaps. At 0800 00 67 63, questions and concerns of potential victims will be answered.
