There Has Been a Worldwide Recall of Breast Implants Tied to Rare Cancer
The company Allergan has issued a recall of all of its Biocell textured breast implants. As CNN explains, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the company to voluntarily recall…
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: A pink 25-foot ribbon scupture made up of Aerie bras is on display outside of Heinz Field as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham / StringerThe company Allergan has issued a recall of all of its Biocell textured breast implants.
As CNN explains, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the company to voluntarily recall the implants after it was discovered that they - along with their tissue expanders - are linked to a rare cancer.
Luckily, textured implants are not as commonly used as other implant types. They "represent less than 5% of all breast implants sold in the United States." Unluckily, however, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of women currently have these harmful implants in their bodies.
According to the press release on the company's page, "Allergan is taking this action as a precaution following notification of recently updated global safety information concerning the uncommon incidence of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) provided by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."
"Effective immediately, healthcare providers should no longer implant new BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders and unused products should be returned to Allergan."
The company also adds that patients should speak with their plastic surgeons about their implant type.
