Breast implant-cancer link not cause for concern

New Zealand women should not be concerned over a United States health advisory issued yesterday about a possible link between breast implants and a rare form of cancer, the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPS) says.

The United States Federal Drug Agency (FDA) is investigating the link to the cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which attacks the lymph nodes and skin, and has been reported in the scar tissue which grows around the implant after it is inserted.

The agency was aware of 60 cases of the disease worldwide among the estimated 5 to 10 million women with breast implants.

There have been no reported cases in New Zealand.

NZAPS said the cancer was so rare the FDA had not recommended any changes in the management of women with breast implants or removals.

"We advise women concerned about their implants to consult with a doctor as this should not be a cause for high levels of anxiety," NZAPS president Howard Klein said.

An in-depth review of the scientific literature published from 1997 through to 2010 identified 34 unique cases of ALCL in women with breast implants throughout the world.

"This is very low when compared with the numbers of women worldwide who have breast implants," Dr Klein said.

"The FDA is also clear that women contemplating breast implants from the major manufacturers are safe when used by qualified surgeons.

"All implants used by qualified plastic surgeons in New Zealand are FDA approved and are notified to Medsafe."

Dr Klein said that NZAPS would be keeping a close eye on any developments and was working closely with Medsafe to consider any data here and overseas.

- NZPA