The PIP breast implant scare
- The PIP breast implant scandal has shone a spotlight on the regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry.
- Concern grew late last year over the implants, which were made by French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).
- The implants were linked to the death of a French woman from a rare form of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), sparking worries among 47,000 British women who were thought to have had them.
- The implants were filled with non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses and have been linked to rupture and swelling in the body.
- British experts have however said ruptured PIP breast implants should not cause any long-term health problems.
How do we crack down on cosmetic surgery cowboys?
The official review into cosmetic practices should mean the PIP scandal should never happen again. But the industry has a lot of work to do.
Cosmetic surgery review launched after PiP scare
A major review into cosmetic surgery is being launched in light of the PIP scandal.