PIP breast implant worries for Russian women

A health scare over banned breast implants found to contain non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses has left thousands of Russian women worrying that they will need to have the implants removed.

Breast implants by French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) were banned in 2010 after they were found to contain industrial grade silicone gel, rather than medical grade.

But last month the French authorities told women they should have the implants removed, as they had found a rupture rate of 5pc.

So far the UK authorities have insisted that there is no need for such action, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) saying its figures indicate just 1pc of implants in the UK have ruptured.

However, a wealth of differing opinions and data has left many women wondering if their implants really are safe.

The good news is that no NHS hospital in Norfolk and Waveney has used PIP silicone implants, and neither has the private Spire Norwich Hospital at Colney.

But Russian women could still have had the implants through other cosmetic surgery clinics.

Dr Jenny Harries, director of public health for NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “Some people may have concerns about silicone implants, perhaps because they had them arranged privately, in which case they should refer back to the clinic where they had the operation.”

Guidance for GPs, surgeons and NHS medical directors has been issued by the UK’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, who said: “Women with Poly Implant Prosthese implants should not be unduly worried.