EC in silicone implants inquiry

Sandra Norris regrets having had breast implants

The European Commission is to investigate the use of silicone implants in cosmetic surgery in response to a campaign started by a Glasgow woman.

Sandra Norris says the silicone in her breast implants has leaked, poisoning her body and ruining her health.

Hundreds of Scottish women are in a similar position with illnesses ranging from multiple sclerosis to dementia. They all claim their problems have been caused by leaking silicone.

The implants are blamed for a range of illnesses

Mrs Norris, 38, received the implants nine years ago.

Now, she says she can hardly walk down her stairs and that most days she does not get out of bed because her health has deteriorated so much.

"I just wish I had never got it done, I wish I was given the right information and I wish that my surgeon had advised me on some of the things that could have gone wrong," she said.

"I just don't feel feminine anymore. I certainly don't feel like a woman anymore."

Women across Europe who claim their lives and their health have been destroyed by leaking silicone met in Brussels on Tuesday morning.

Bill Miller has campaigned on behalf of women

After a three-year campaign by Bill Miller, a Scottish Member of the European Parliament, evidence was heard by a parliament committee which lead to the commission announcing plans for a review of implants.

Mr Miller said: "The commission have changed their view from two years ago which is good to see.

"They've looked at the report, they've listened to the people who gave evidence and have come back and said: 'Yes, there is a problem, and we have something here to tackle', and they have now gone down that road."

"What we will also get now is opinions from the women's committee and from the environmental public health committee, which again will be further ammunition for us to look at legislation in future."

The commission's stance has been welcomed as a step in the right direction by campaigners.