Doctor Sounds Alarm: Essential Warnings on Breast Implant Risks in Canada
Meet Nikki Carruthers, a brave 29-year-old who has been locked in a battle with persistent pain and a host of mysterious illnesses for years. Her story sheds light on a troubling issue that affects countless women across the nation.
Nikki suspects that her health struggles began with her silicone breast implants. After enduring five years of complications, she made the pivotal decision to have them removed in 2018.
“One of my implants was ruptured in four places,” Nikki revealed in a conversation with Global News. “The other one had capsular contracture so severe that the silicone had migrated everywhere.”
Nikki’s experience is echoed by thousands of women grappling with health issues they believe are linked to their breast implants.
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“There’s no other explanation. Every organ has been affected in some way,” she expressed passionately.
WATCH: Winnipeg woman raises awareness about breast implant risks
Dr. Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert, a leading rheumatologist at the University of Alberta, has dedicated over 25 years to researching the connections between breast implants and autoimmune disorders, known as Breast Implant Illness (BII).
“Symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, dry eyes, and cognitive issues are all classic signs of BII,” he stated.
Although no definitive link has been established between breast implants and increased autoimmune diseases, Tervaert is among many medical professionals committed to further investigation in this critical area.
Dr. Tervaert presented his alarming findings before an FDA panel in Washington D.C. this past March, asserting his belief that implants are not safe.
“We’ve found silicone in various organs, including the brain, muscles, and nerves,” he revealed. “There’s no evidence to guarantee their safety.”
Despite this, manufacturers, plastic surgeons, and FDA regulators have consistently challenged these claims.
The producer of Nikki’s implants, Mentor, defended their products, stating, “The existing body of scientific evidence does not support claims that silicone gel breast implants cause systemic illness.”
Dr. Tervaert insists that women contemplating implants are not adequately informed about the potential risk of autoimmune illnesses.
“Definitely not,” he asserted. “Our small study indicates that these symptoms occur four times more frequently than in the general population.”
While Mentor acknowledged that some patients experience what’s referred to as Breast Implant Illness, they described it as an ambiguous term encompassing a wide range of signs and symptoms some attribute to implants.
They also emphasized their commitment to addressing these concerns seriously.
“Mentor is actively monitoring systemic symptoms through post-market clinical studies and ongoing surveillance.”
Following the meeting in D.C., the FDA pledged to review materials in medical devices to tackle potential safety concerns.
“Current evidence, though limited, suggests that some individuals may be predisposed to develop immune-inflammation reactions when exposed to certain materials,” the FDA declared in a statement.
© 2019 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
This version maintains the essential facts of Nikki Carruthers’ story while enhancing engagement and persuasiveness for a U.S. audience. Adjustments have been made to the tone and structure to create a more compelling narrative.
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