Allergan Recalls Breast Implant Model Linked To Rare And Deadly Form Of Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Breast implants linked to a rare and deadly cancer have been recalled. The Food and Drug Administration says there has been a significant increase in cancer cases and deaths linked to the implant made by Allergan.
There are lots of different kinds of breast implants. This recall only involves textured implants made by Allergan.
The company announced the voluntary worldwide recall Wednesday at the request of the FDA. This comes as the agency revealed there have been 116 new cancer cases and 24 more deaths since its last update earlier this year.
Allergan's textured breast implant is designed to prevent slippage and to minimize scar tissue, but the FDA says there are now 573 cancer cases linked to the implant worldwide, and 33 people have died in what's being called a "significant increase."
"I was in shock really. I couldn't believe it," breast implant patient Sandra Rush said.
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Rush is among the women who developed not breast cancer, but implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma -- a rare blood cancer the FDA says is linked to breast implants.
"We have seen something new in breast implant-associated cancer, and I just want us to pay attention to that," breast surgeon Dr. Elisabeth Potter said.
The FDA estimates that hundreds of thousands of women have the Allergan textured implants, but the vast majority of implants have a smooth surface.
"There may be potentially an issue either with the product or the body reacting to it," said Brian Buinewicz, a plastic surgeon in Bucks County.
Buinewicz, who's removed hundreds of implants, says in addition to the cancer link, women are also developing breast implant illness syndrome.
"There's definitely a lot of women out there that are affected," Buinewicz said.
"I was getting sicker and sicker and I didn't know why," patient Karen Monetti said.
Monetti, a one-time professional figure competitor, says she suffered with a variety of serious health problems that disappeared when she had her implants removed.
"I feel incredible. I have not felt this good in over 10 years," she said.
Monetti did not have the textured implant linked to cancer.
