PARIS: France is to ban a popular type of breast implant which has been linked to a rare form of cancer, Le Monde newspaper and French public radio reported on Wednesday , citing a letter from health authorities to implant manufacturers.
The ANSM, which has been tracking wearers of breast implants since 2011, is expected to formally announce its decision on Thursday. Most of France's estimated 500,000 implant wearers are believed to have implants with a textured velcro-like surface which sticks to the breast tissue, to avoid slipping out of position.Breast implants are used in breast enhancements, or for reconstructive purposes after a mastectomy for breast cancer.
The company, Poly Implant Prothese , was shut down and its founder Jean-Claude Mas was sentenced to four years in prison for fraud.