Breast implants: latest risks

The latest information about breast implants are that 5 to 6 per cent will rupture, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has removed silicon implants from the general market pending further study demonstrating safety. The agency will now allow women to receive the implants only if they will agree to participate in controlled clinical studies. At the moment, implants for augmentation are not permitted.

Thus far, according to a study, in the same issue, implants do not increase cancer risk, although the study only examined women with implants at most 13 years old. New England Journal of Medicine,18 June 1992.

Attention to improvements in pre slaughter animal handling should diminish the need for drug treatment. It also plans to study the effects of drugs on the offspring of pregnant women, and non veterinary drugs given simply to boost muscle growth or weight.