Allergan Launches Campaign to Warn Women About the Dangers of Their Implants
On June 1, 2020, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety Communication Update, Allergan began a massive effort to contact patients who received breast implants using their BIOCELL textured implants and tissue expanders. Allergan fears that many women are not aware that there was a recall on BIOCELL textured implants on July 24, 2019. Allergan has concerns that these women are at risk of developing cancer.
Allergan Textured Implants Cause Increased Risk of Cancer
Allergan BIOCELL textured implants cause a significant increase in the risk of developing breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCA). Research shows that recipients of Allergan textured implants are six times more likely to develop ALCA than recipients of textured implants made by other manufacturers. An FDA analysis of a global study indicated that “Of the 573 cases of BIA-ALCL, 481 are reported to have Allergan breast implants at the time of diagnosis.”
Also significant is the number of deaths associated with Allergan BIOCELL textured implants. Of the 33 deaths reported in the study, “12 of 13 deaths occurring in patients with BIA-ALCL where the manufacturer was known occurred in patients implanted with an Allergan breast implant at the time of their BIA-ALCL diagnosis.” The study was unable to determine the manufacturer or texture of the implants associated with the other 20 deaths.
Allergan Recalled BIOCELL Textured Breast Implants in 2019 Because of Cancer Risk
The FDA requested that Allergan remove these products from the market in 2019, and Allergan complied.
The FDA is concerned about other textured breast implants and is continuing to assess the safety of these products. At the time it requested the recall, the FDA concluded that “continued distribution of Allergan’s BIOCELL textured breast implants would likely cause serious, adverse health consequences and potentially death from BIA-ALCL.”
FDA Suggests That if You Are Unsure About Your Breast Implants, Find Out More
Concerns that many women are unaware of the recall prompted Allergan to seek-out patients who received their textured implants. As part of Allergan’s outreach campaign, the FDA advises women who are unsure about what type of breast implants they try the following:
- Contact the hospital or doctor where they had breast implant surgery and ask what their records show about the implants they received
- Contact Allergan by visiting www.BIOCELLinformation.com to see if they have your implant information
- Speak to your doctor about your concerns – whether or not you have symptoms of ALCL.
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is Not Breast Cancer
BIA-ALCL is not a form of breast cancer – it is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer that affects your immune system.
BIA-ALCL is usually located near fluid and scar tissue near the breast implants, but it can spread throughout the entire body. If you can diagnose and treat the cancer early, it may require only surgery. However, some patients require chemotherapy and/or radiation as well.
Our Lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, are Reviewing Allergan Breast Implant Claims
Did you receive Allergan textured breast implants? Were you diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)? If so, please contact our lawyers now. Even if you had the implants removed, your lymphoma might have been the result of these dangerous implants.
Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, today and find out if you can file a claim against Allergan. You might be entitled to compensation. Call our lawyers reviewing Allergan breast implant cases at 800-403-6191.