The French Health Ministry says five women who have received PIP breast implants are suffering from breast cancer, Le Parisien reports. Another three are suffering from lymphoma and leukemia.
The eight women have all received implants from the manufacturer PIP in the south of France.
PIP was closed down by health authorities last year after they discovered the company was using non-medical silicone gel in implants which were twice as likely to rupture as other products in the same category. The company CEO is accused of fraud.
Health watchdog AFFSAPS has failed to establish a link between PIP implants and cancer. However the government has created a committee to monitor women who have received faulty implants.
In November, a woman – the first in France – died of lymphatic cancer in the southern city of Marseille after her PIP breast implants burst.
The French state has launched a helpline for women who are concerned about the safety of their breast implants.
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