The Consumer Council has issued a severe warning to women seeking a quick fix in breast augmentation.
The treatment in question involves the simple direct injections of a transparent, gel-like material called PAAG (hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel).
To some women, it is particularly appealing as it requires no complicated surgical procedure and its effect on breast augmentation is almost instantaneous.
However, the consequences, in some cases, are nothing short of disaster.
According to information provided by the Hong Kong Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (HKSPRAS), 53 women sought medical help because of intense pain and suffering after breast augmentation using PAAG injection.
At least six of them subsequently had their breast or breasts completely removed due to adverse body reactions to the PAAG.
Aged between 24 and 47 years, most (about 90%) received their injection in the mainland; the remainder 10% had it done in Hong Kong and one in Thailand. Problems of adverse effect began to surface over the past two years.
The HKSPRAS is concerned over the emergence of problems over such a short period of time - less than 10 years after PAAG was marketed.
Once PAAG is injected into the body, it is almost impossible to completely remove the gel from the body posing a potential risk to the consumers.
Further, it is impossible to use mammogram to diagnose for carcinoma of the breasts of women who had received PAAG injection. They are also deprived of the privilege to breast feed because of the possible spillage of the chemical in the breast milk.
Other possible complications of such treatment include: hematoma, inflammation, abscess, puncture site fistula, mastalgia, breast lumps or induration, migration of gel, numbness or nipple sensation change, lactation, pneumothorax, fits and confusion.
A further potential risk of PAAG is in its raw material acrylamide monomer which is toxic to the human nervous system, and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a "probable carcinogen".
Earlier this year, the Centre for Drug Re-evaluation of the State Food and Drug Administration in the mainland has issued a warning that the National Centre for ADR Monitoring had received a total of 183 reports of adverse reactions after PAAG injections. Amongst them, 161 cases were related to breast augmentation.
As there is little evaluation about the safety of PAAG being used for breast augmentation, the Department of Health does not recommend the use of PAAG for breast augmentation.
The Consumer Council wishes to appeal to those intending to undertake PAAG injections for beauty treatment that appearance is never as important as one's precious health.
Consumers are reminded to always seek professional advice from registered professional plastic surgeons, and to fully understand the risks and benefits of breast augmentation treatment.
Dr. Gordon MA, Vice President and Dr. HO Chiu-ming, Council Member of Hong Kong Society of Plastic, Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgery are also present for press queries on the issue of breast augmentation.
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