Allergan recalls textured breast implants over link to rare cancer

Allergan is recalling a type of its textured breast implants worldwide, the company announced yesterday. The FDA had asked for a removal after several hundred women developed a rare type of lymphoma after getting the company’s Biocell textured implants. The link between this type of lymphoma and any type of breast implant was first identified in 2011. Since then, 573 women have become sick with breast implant-associated lymphoma, of which 33 have died. Notably, of the total cases, 481 are women with Allergan implants, as are at least 12 of the 33 deaths. Women with these implants who are experiencing painful symptoms should consult with their doctors, the FDA says, but is not recommending that those who are asymptomatic undergo surgery to remove them.