A leading cosmetic surgeon is warning that a non-invasive breast enlargement procedure that takes just 45 minutes could mask the signs of cancer on mammograms.

The Daily Mail reports that a £2,500 injection of Macrolane gel can enlarge breasts by one cup size. However, a study by plastic surgeon Barry Miller – who is based at the King Edward VII Hospital in London – has found that 16 out of 20 women who underwent the procedure made 44 separate complaints about pain and lumps.

Mr Miller also found that three women had to undergo reconstructive surgery and have the chemical contained in the Macrolane gel removed.

Mr Miller added that when women were given a mammogram shortly after having the Macrolane jab, there was ‘a reduction in visualisation of the glandular tissue’ – where cancer cells can form – and concluded in his report that ‘Macrolane breast shaping may impact on the diagnosis of breast cancer’.

One of the women who complained about ‘lumpiness’ after receiving the Macrolane jab said that the lumps were ‘clear and granular’ and sat on her breasts like ’tapioca’.

‘Breasts are a very special area,’ said Mr Miller. ‘They are a hormonally active area that is prone to cancer. Macrolane is simply not properly researched,’ he added.

President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Douglas McGeorge, said:

‘Macrolane has the ability to enhance appearance when used properly around the body – but in the breast it can run the risk of masking disease and compromising patient care.’

A spokeswoman for the Swedish manufacturer of Macrolane, Q-Med, said:

‘Q-Med has already addressed the issues raised in the report. All aesthetic treatments include a certain risk. Our responsibility as a company is to reduce it to a minimum.

'Q-Med ensures that patients are provided with both written and verbal information about the risks,’ she added.

New cosmetic injections do not need to be certified as safe by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, however.

Mr Miller warned that it was his opinion that the UK was not rigorous enough in its testing of new cosmetic procedures involving dermal fillers, with so-called ‘lunchtime’ procedures becoming increasingly popular.

‘If you look at the US, there are only seven fillers approved for market, while in the UK there are over 80 products,’’ said Mr Miller.

‘If someone is given this injection, they need to be told of the risks involved and the likelihood of lumps forming, but that’s just not happening,’ he added.

Macrolane consists of hyaluronic acid, which binds water in body tissue to maintain volume. The effect of the jab lasts 18 months.

© 5r1 Limited 2010