Ministry follows up on risky implants
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
More than 1,250 implants containing fuel additives were imported to Turkey from the French manufacturer PIP, according to a written statement by the ministry. Hürriyet photo
The Turkish Health Ministry is in the process of calling 353 women who have breast implants that contain fuel additives, which are said to be causing breast cancer.More than 1,250 implants containing fuel additives were imported to Turkey from the French breast implant manufacturer Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP) between 2008 and 2010, according to a written statement by the Health Ministry. However, only 353 women have used them so far, the statement said.
Following the news on cancer risk, the ministry started inquiring into users of the silicone implants and contacted the women concerning the risk they might be under, news channel CNN Türk reported yesterday.
“Fortunately, the cancer risk exists in a limited number of patients in Turkey. Recently only a few patients demanded to remove the implants that were found safe after the operations,” said Dr. Reha Yavuzer, external affairs specialist from the Society of Plastic Surgery.
Yavuzer also advised women who have PIP implants to keep in contact with their doctors for consultancy in any case where indications, like blushes on the breasts, are present.
The Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (TPRECD) also called upon women who have PIP brand implements to seek their doctors’ advice.
The French Health Ministry ordered 30,000 women to remove implants in December last year after a report from the country’s National Cancer Institute on Dec. 23.
Industrial materials are 10 times cheaper than medical ones, according to TPRECD reports.
