The Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry launched in October 2016 by NHS Digital was implemented to record patient details of those who have had breast implants so they could be traced if any concerns regarding their implants were raised.
Between the registry being launched and December 2020, 56,690 patients and 59,660 operations were recorded on the archive.
Thousands of patients who have had breast implants are being asked to input their details on to the national registry for their own safety.
Lee Martin, NHS breast surgeon and Chair of the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry Steering Group, said: “It is pleasing to see that the number of submissions to the registry has increased steadily over the past five years and now includes information from almost 60,000 patients.
“We want all patients – past and present – to be aware that the registry exists and ensure they are included by speaking to their surgeons. As a surgeon, I know first-hand the importance of patient information being included on the registry – it’s crucial in providing good patient care and provides patients with assurance that they will be followed up with if there are issues with their breast implants in the future.”
In 2020 alone over nine thousand patients had breast implant surgery in England and Scotland by the NHS, and a further 10,920 had breast implants privately, 10,500 of which were added to the Digital Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry.
The registry also records the materials and manufactures of he implants each patient receives meaning if a pattern unfolds, then any patients with that particular implant can be contacted for a check up.
Alison Lattimer, Patient representative on the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry Steering Group, exclaimed the importance of the registry saying: “As someone who has undergone reconstruction surgery myself, following breast cancer, I understand just how crucial the registry is in protecting the future health of those undergoing breast implant surgery.
“I would urge anyone considering having reconstruction surgery or those who have done so in the past to check with their surgeons and make sure they are on the registry.”
The latest version of the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry can be viewed here.
