SILICONE GEL BREAST IMPLANTS, BREAST-CANCER AND CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISORDERS

Recent worldwide media speculation that silicone gel-filled breast imp lants may be linked to an increased incidence of breast and other canc ers, and connective tissue disease (particularly systemic sclerosis) h as caused concern to the medical profession and public alike. Until ca refully controlled studies have been performed to prove the safety of these implants, the US Food and Drug Administration has restricted the ir use to research and breast reconstruction. Research has so far fail ed to prove a causative relationship between silicone implants and can cer or connective tissue disorders.