Call for EU records to keep abreast of silicone implants

Date: 20/02/03

By Martin Banks

MEMBER states should be required to keep records of every woman with silicone breast implants, according to a European Parliament report.

An EU-wide breast implant register would allow medical experts to properly assess the inherent risks of such surgery, it states.

The report, drafted by UK Socialist Catherine Stihler and approved by MEPs at Strasbourg last week, also calls for:

• A ban on implants for under-18s;
• health warnings on all breast implant advertisements;
• a ban on "before and after" pictures, and;
• a compulsory annual follow-up examination.

Silicone, a synthetic polymer formed by combining silicon extracted from rock with oxygen, was developed in the 1940s for use in paints, polishes and lubricants.

As well as being used to enhance breast size, silicone injections to make lips swell have also proved popular.

However, if an implant ruptures and leaks into the bloodstream, the chemical can cause dangerous side effects.

Scotswoman Margo Cameron told Stihler how her life had been blighted after having silicone injected into her lips ten years ago.

It resulted in her suffering nausea and headaches, although British doctors initially told her the reaction had nothing to do with silicone poisoning.

MEPs are concerned that many women having implants to boost breast or lip size are not properly warned of the risks.

Stihler's report is not legally binding, but aims to intensify the pressure on EU governments to improve patient care.

The Scots MEP said she was delighted colleagues had backed her.

"Each day thousands of women sign up for implants without knowing the full risks or the heavy price they could pay.

"We have legal limits for alcohol to protect the young and an age limit for implants will safeguard teenagers from ill-informed beauty choice," she said.

The move was welcomed by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

A spokesman said it wanted to deter so-called "cosmetic cowboys" from carrying out implant operations.

"We strongly object to people in white coats who are pretending to be counsellors but are actually salespersons."

Member States should be required to keep records of every woman with silicone breast implants, according to a European Parliament report. An EU-wide breast implant register would allow medical experts to properly assess the inherent risks of such surgery, it states.