Despite the panic over PIP breast implants scandal and the economic downturn, research according to The Guardian suggests that breast augmentation is still the UK’s most popular form of cosmetic surgery among women. In 2011 an estimated 10,003 went under the knife and underwent breast enlargement, a swing of 6.2% from the 6202 that did in 2010.
It was reported early this year that the French breast implant producer, Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) had been making their implants from industrial-grade silicon normally used in other items such as mattresses. Cases of breast irritation were reported as well as major concern of some of the implants bursting, as well as a small number of patients becoming diagnosed with tumours, and other form of cancers as a result of the toxins released by the silicon. The scandal continues to be a huge issue even three months after it was first reported, and severely damaged the reputation of PIP; 30,000 to 40,000 women in the UK alone are thought to have the implants.
More controversy was later drawn when the government announced that although the NHS would remove any implants for free (with prior consultation if it was necessary from a GP) the NHS would not replace the implants.
Will the increasing severity of PIP breast implant scandal affect the statistic of women choosing to have breast enlargement surgery next year however?
On a side note, The Guardian also reported that breast augmentation was the least popular cosmetic procedure for men.
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