LOCAL women who have the controversial PIP breast implants may be able to have them removed, but not replaced, in the Isle of Man.

The Department of Health has said it will help women who have had the implants fitted in private clinics which either no longer exist or which refuse to remove the implants.

It has said that the Isle of Man Health Service will only remove the implants if it is clinically necessary to do so but will not replace the implants unless clinically necessary.

PIP implants – made by the French company Poly Implant Prosthése – have sparked a worldwide health scare after the implants were found to contain industrial grade silicone rather than medical silicone.

Concerns were raised that the implants - which were manufactured between 2001 and March 2010 - may be more prone to rupture and leakage.

However there is no clear evidence of an increased risk of harm compared to other brands of implant.

The Department of Health has said it is following UK NHS advice that says women who have had PIP breast implants fitted do not need to have them removed unless they have symptoms indicating that there may be a problem.

Signs of a rupture or leakage include lumpiness of the breast, change of shape in the breast, deflation of the breast, redness, tenderness of the breast, swelling of the breast or pain and sensitivity.

Women who experience any of the above symptoms are advised to see their specialist or GP who will advise them further.

The Department of Health has said that it has been assured that no women who used either of the centres that the Island uses for breast reconstruction surgery – the Linda McCartney Centre and Whiston Hospital – have been fitted with PIP implants.

Any women in the Isle of Man who may have had PIP implants after breast reconstruction surgery at another UK NHS hospital will receive a letter from the NHS in due course. The UK NHS has said it will offer to remove NHS provided implants free of charge.

Local women who have undergone breast surgery for cosmetic reasons, and who are worried that they may have, or do have, PIP implants have been advised to speak to the private clinic directly.

The following clinics have said they will replace PIP implants free if clinically necessary including Holly House, Highgate Hospitals, Make Yourself Amazing (MYA Cosmetic Surgery), Ramsay Health Care, Spire Healthcare, BMI Healthcare, Nuffield Healthcare and HCA International.

If a private clinic refuses to remove PIP implants the Department of Health in the Isle of Man has advised women to speak to their GP in the first instance.

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