A woman is more likely to be struck by lightning than get this condition. Patients' safety is Allergan's absolute first priority and we continue all efforts to collect and analyze further information about the very rarer occurrence of ALCL in patients with breast implants.”

Women with breast implants may have a very small, but increased risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or ALCL, in the scar tissue and fluid adjacent to the implant. ALCL is not breast cancer—it is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). ALCL has been reported globally in patients with an implant history that includes Mentor's and other manufacturers' breast implants.”

Four hundred people are injured or killed by lightning every year. ALCL may strike fewer women but it is an avoidable risk that most of us would choose to steer clear of, just as we do not go swimming during a thunderstorm. In addition, it is possible that there may be more cases of ALCL than have been reported.”

Although ALCL is extremely rare, the FDA believes that women with breast implants may have a very small but increased risk of developing this disease in the scar capsule adjacent to the implant. Based on available information, it is not possible to confirm with statistical certainty that breast implants cause ALCL. At this time, data appear to indicate that the incidence of ALCL is very low, even in breast implant patients. Currently it is not possible to identify a type of implant (silicone versus saline) or a reason for implant (reconstruction versus aesthetic augmentation) associated with a smaller or greater risk.”