The controversy over PIP breast implants shows no signs of abating though, over the weekend, the government tried to take a lead on the issue by running a national press campaign advising women on what to do if they had the implants.

As well as appearing in national newspapers and websites, the adverts will also appear in GP surgeries and other parts of the NHS, stressing that there is no need for the women to have the implants removed unless they are suffering pain or tenderness. It also emphasises that there is no link with cancer, despite eight French women who have the implants, having been diagnosed with the disease and it also says there is no evidence to show that there is an increased risk of harm from the PIP implants compared with other brands.

Women can find out whether they had PIP implants by checking their medical notes free of charge; those who had them on the NHS will be able to have the implants removed and replaced free of charge and will receive a letter within the next few weeks, while for those women whose private clinic refuses to pay for the treatment, they will be able to have the implants removed on the NHS but not replaced.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said that the ad campaign aimed to give women clear advice on what type of action they can take. He said that private companies should all provide the aftercare that their patients need and deserve and said it was not fair to the taxpayer or other NHS patients for the NHS to foot the bill.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/13/breast-implant-advertisement...