The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) has released a series of short videos produced to provide PIP breast implant patients with factual information and advice.
.jpg)
The ACCS has released the educational videos because the college was concerned by a number of media reports about PIP implants. The ACCS claims the media reports have not provided women with accurate and balanced information.
Authorities in France have found that PIP silicone-gel implants were manufactured with a type of silicone gel that was not approved for use. These implants have been used in Australia.
The ACCS has been asked by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer to contribute to two expert advisory panels to provide further information and to assist in the assessment of the risk that PIP implants may pose to Australian recipients. Dr. Daniel Fleming, a former College president and one of Australia’s most experienced breast augmentation surgeons, sits on the panels on behalf of the ACCS.
Former president and ACCS spokesperson for the PIP issue, Dr. Daniel Fleming expressed concern that many of the 6,000 women across Australia who have received PIP implants have been contacting their doctors having been frightened by media reports.
“It is deeply regrettable that so many women have been so badly let down. The legitimate concern of women with PIP breast implants must be met with accurate information and sound, evidence-based advice, not sensationalistic reporting, which may cause them more harm,” Dr. Fleming says.
Consumers Health Forum CEO, Carol Bennett says, “It is important that women with PIP implants are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions. The Consumer’s Health Forum strongly supports the ACCS’s example of straightforward information for women health consumers.”
“This is why the ACCS has produced these videos. I encourage all women with PIP implants to view them, to see their doctor and to get an MRI scan to see if their implants are ruptured,” Dr. Fleming says.
To view ACCS videos on PIP breast implant information visit www.accs.org.au