France suggests removal of risky breast implants

PARIS - Tens of thousands of women with risky, French-made breast implants should have them removed at the state's expense, France's health minister recommended on Friday, adding that such removals were "preventive" and not urgent.

While implants made by Poly Implant Prothese SA (PIP) have not been linked to an increased incidence of cancer, the risk that they could rupture and leak a questionable type of silicone gel has been shown, Xavier Bertrand said in a statement.

"As a preventive measure not of an urgent nature, (French authorities) recommend that the removal of these implants, even those not showing signs of deterioration, be proposed," the statement said. It added that the costs of removal will be footed by France's national healthcare system - presumably solely for French patients.