Authorities in Britain and France have expressed conflicting views on the risks that breast implants pose for women --- while the removal of breast implants made by Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) is being advised by the French Health Minister Xavier Bertrand for women in France; England's chief medical officer Prof Dame Sally Davies insists that routine removal of the implants was not necessary and that a routine check-up would suffice in identifying any risks.

The French government has announced that, except for cases in which breast reconstruction has been resorted to by women as part of their cancer treatment, it would bear the costs of the removal of the PIP implants; though not for replacing the implants.

Acknowledging that the advice pertaining to the removal of breast implants was just a “preventive measure” and was “not urgent,” Bertrand said that it has been confirmed by the health ministry that there was no evidence of increased cancer risk for women with PIP implants vis-à-vis their counterparts with other makes.

Meanwhile, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons has stated that it was “concerned” at the advice about removal of PIP breast implants, particularly since the French authorities have themselves denied any cancer risk linked to the implants.

Stressing that there is no need to be “unduly worried” about PIP implants, Prof Davies said: “We have no evidence of a link to cancer or an increased risk of rupture. While we respect the French government's decision, no other country is taking similar steps.”