PIP breast implants - to blame for death of healthy mum?

Tragedy adds to fears about the long-term safety of PIPs

The NHS final report surprised many of us at Aurora Clinics when it concluded that PIP implants pose no significant risk to human health. 

And now the tragic death of a healthy mum from East Lothian who received PIP implants in 2006 has led to fresh doubts about their safety. 

Forty-year old Susan Grieve lost her battle against anaplastic large cell lymphoma, an extremely rare form of cancer, last month. 

Susan had received a scan which showed one of her implants was ruptured, causing a growth to form in her breast. Her implants were removed and replaced, but she was not allowed to keep the old ones for evidence since they were considered “clinical waste”.

However, her concerned plastic surgeon took photographs of what he found. The ruptured implant could clearly be seen in the photos, as could the fact that it had turned green.

Last September, Susan went to her doctor seeking help for terrible back pain. And in March this year, she received her diagnosis of terminal anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Susan’s family are determined to find out the truth about the long-term safety of PIP implants – and they have joined forces with the family of a French woman, Edwige Ligoneche, who also received PIP implants and died from the exact same form of cancer as Susan last year.

At Aurora Clinics, we have firmly stated, and will continue to do so, that we believe studies on PIP safety have not nearly been long enough or far-reaching enough to reach meaningful conclusions.

We have published our own findings on rupture rates, and the creamy fluid we have found surrounding PIP implants removed from patients, but in the light of cases like Susan and Edwige, it is clear much more research needs to be done.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Susan's family at this sad time, and we wish them every strength in their fight to seek justice for Susan. 

It seems the debate on the safety of PIP implants looks set to continue for some time to come.

Kerry Greasley

Content Marketing Editor, Aurora Clinics

kerry.greasley@aurora-clinics.co.uk

Aurora Clinics are an expert group of Plastic Surgeons, medical aestheticians and anaesthetists specialising in a broad range of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures (surgical and non-surgical). The Aurora emphasis is on honesty and openness, with information made publicly available via videos, podcasts, photo galleries, a highly comprehensive website and our past-patient network. We are always keen to work with the public and the Press to broaden awareness about cosmetic surgery, helping prospective patients make a fully informed choice. Visit www.aurora-clinics.co.uk for more information.

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