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FDA Pushes for Rules Demanding Boxed Warning for Breast Implants

The US Food and Drug Administration has been met with concerned breast implant patients who demanded proper warning about the risk of the implants. The agency finally announced on Wednesday a recommendation for breast implants to come with “boxed warning” to highlight the risks related to the implants.

Amy Abernethy, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner and Jeff Shuren, director of the agency’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a joint statement on Wednesday: “Taken as a whole we believe this draft guidance, when final, will result in better labeling for breast implants that will ultimately help patients better understand breast implant benefits and risks, which is a critical piece in making health care decisions that fit patients’ needs and lifestyle.” 

The proposed boxed warnings issued by the FDA is the highest form of caution demanded by the health agency for labeling.  The warnings may, for example, include the information which states that breast implants are not “lifetime devices,” “The chance of developing complications increases over time,” “Breast implants have been associated with the risk of developing BIA-ALCL and maybe 214associated with systemic symptoms,” etc. BIA-ALCL, which is a type of cancer of the immune system, is one of the several rare forms of cancer linked with breast implants. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma was found linked with a total of 457 individuals who went for such implants in the U.S.

The agency has also proposed that prospective individuals looking for breast implants be asked to go through a “decision checklist.” The checklist is expected to cover the various health risks of the process. The individuals shall have a conversation with their doctors about the pros and cons of such a cosmetic surgical procedures. More than three-fourth of the women reportedly go for breast augmentation for the beautification of the body.

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