Breast Implant Safety

For the past several years, there have been many reports in the media about women with breast implants who have autoimmune disease or breast cancer. Also during this time, many respected medical professionals and institutions have conducted scientific studies about the safety of breast implants. Mentor is pleased to be able to provide the public with up-to-date information about breast implant studies.

Institute of Medicine

In June 1999, the National Academy Institute of Medicine issued a report that included the following conclusion: "In an overall consideration of the epidemiological evidence, the committee noted that because there are more than 1.5 million adult women of all ages in the United States with silicone breast implants, some of these women would be expected to develop connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other systemic complaints or conditions. Evidence suggests that such diseases or conditions are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants." The full text of the publication, "Information for Women About the Safety of Silicone Breast Implants – A Report of a Study by the Institute of Medicine," is available online at www.nap.edu.

Independent Review Group

The Independent Review Group (IRG) on Silicone Breast Implants was assembled by the Chief Medical Officer of the UK to review the possible health issues associated with silicone gel breast implants. Members of the IRG were selected for their independent views, their knowledge and understanding of the issues, and lack of any financial interest in the conclusions they reached.

Led by Professor Roger D. Sturrock, MD, FRCP, the IRG reported in 1998 that there is no scientific evidence of an association between silicone gel-filled breast implants and any established connective tissue disease. The complete report is available on the Internet at www.silicone-review.gov.uk.

European Committee on Quality Assurance

In July 1998, the European Committee on Quality Assurance and Medical Devices in Plastic Surgery released a report that contained the following conclusions: "There are conclusive scientific—clinical, immunological, epidemiological—data, that silicone gel-filled breast implants do not cause any autoimmune nor connective tissue diseases." Their report also stated, "Updated studies continue to show that silicone gel-filled implants do not cause cancer nor other malignant disease." The entire declaration can be found on the internet at www.worldplasticsurgery.org.