5 health scares explained

Safety concern: That the implants can rupture and may heighten the risk of autoimmune disease.

When: At the request of the FDA, producers of the implants voluntarily stopped marketing them in 1991 while the agency considered their risk.

Why: The moratorium took place amid a slew of lawsuits filed by women who said the implants had caused illnesses. The ensuing litigation contributed to one of the major implant suppliers, Dow Corning Corp., going into bankruptcy.

In 2006 the FDA approved silicone gel-filled implants for cosmetic augmentation for women over the age of 22. Before they had only been available for women enrolled in clinical studies. Today the FDA lists breast pain, rupture, and additional surgeries as risks associated with the implants, and organizations such as the National Women's Health Network have called for further testing.

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