National

Health Canada Suspends Biocell Breast Implants Citing Increased Cancer Risks

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 May, 2019 07:03 PM

OTTAWA — Health Canada has suspended the licences for Biocell breast implants because of an increased cancer risk.

The department says it has completed an update to a safety review, which was launched two years ago, and suspended the licences for Allergan's Biocell macro-textured breast implants because the potential risks associated with them outweigh their benefits.

It says in a statement that it has been notified of 26 confirmed Canadian cases of breast-implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, of which 22 involve Allergan's Biocell breast implants, although no cases have been reported with any smooth surface implants.

It says Allergan has agreed to voluntarily recall unused Biocell devices from the Canadian market.

Health Canada says breast-implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the immune system, which may develop many months or years after a breast implant procedure.

It is not a cancer of the breast tissue and usually presents as an accumulation of fluid between the implant and the surrounding tissue.

Health Canada says its cause is unknown.

The department says if you have an Allergan Biocell breast implant or another type of breast implant, removing them is not recommended if you do not have any symptoms.

It says patients should discuss the risks and benefits of removal with their health-care professional, and anyone who doesn't know what type of breast implant they have should speak with the health-care provider who did the surgery.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

VICTORIA — British Columbia's budget pays too little attention to the potential impacts of a slowing global economy and a shifting housing market, business leaders say.

Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics

Canada's proposed edible pot regulations would result in tasteless products wrapped in wasteful packaging, shutting out medical patients and fuelling a continued black market, critics say

Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics

Man Arrested, Charged In String Of Four Bank Robberies Over Four Hours In Surrey

Richard Orr, 24, Is Charged With Four Counts Of Robbery And Remains In Custody Following The Four-Hour Spree On Feb. 12.

Man Arrested, Charged In String Of Four Bank Robberies Over Four Hours In Surrey

Alcohol Policies Fizzle For Canadian Governments As Harms Overflow: Reports

VICTORIA — Two new studies say the federal and provincial governments must do more to reduce alcohol consumption after determining damages from drinking have surpassed tobacco use.

Alcohol Policies Fizzle For Canadian Governments As Harms Overflow: Reports

B.C. Review Board Says Man Allan Schoenborn Who Killed Kids A Threat, But Outings To Be Mulled

Schoenborn, who's now 50 years old, has been held at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital since before a 2010 court decision that found him not criminally responsible for killing his daughter and two sons.