France to ban some breast implants over cancer fears

France is to ban a popular form of breast implant that has been linked to a rare form of cancer, according to reports.

Some 90 textured implant models from six popular brands are to be banned by health agency the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM), franceinfo reported.

The expected ban affects implants used in 85% of implant surgeries in France. Some 425,000 people have the implants, which have a textured surface that sticks to breast tissue to avoid slipping.

Since 2011, 56 reported cases of large cell anaplastic lymphoma - a rare but aggressive form of cancer - have been linked to the textured implants. Three women have died as a result, and 15 complaints have already been filed in Paris and Marseille for deliberately endangering the lives of others

Le Monde said ANSM informed manufacturers on April 2 that it would ban "the manufacture, distribution, importing, exporting, promotion and wearing of textured breast implants and polyurethane breast implants".

The decision was expected to be formally announced on Thursday.

France was at the centre of a major scandal involving implants in 2010 when it emerged a popular brand of implants had been filled with a cheap industrial-grade silicone gel rather than medical-grade silicone.