London - Five thousand women who were given breast implants filled with soya bean oil have been advised to have them removed amid fears that they could cause cancer and harm unborn babies.
Patient-support groups said the women had been used as "guinea pigs" for the Trilucent implants, which did not undergo any clinical trials before being put on the market in Britain. The Department of Health said the risk that the implants, which were available from 1995 until they were withdrawn from sale in March 1999, could cause cancer or harm an unborn baby could not be ruled out.
Women are being advised not to plan a pregnancy or breastfeed until after the Trilucent implants have been removed. But Dr Pat Troop, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said there had been no clinical evidence of any serious health problems, although 70 women had reported swelling and discomfort.