Fact vs Fear: How 60 Minutes’ Reporting on PIP Breast Implants Is Stirring Unnecessary Alarm
16 June 2025
This week, a familiar wave of fear rippled through social media, but not for the reasons many people assumed.
Channel 9’s 60 Minutes has reposted a segment on YouTube and social media channels about the French PIP breast implant scandal. For many viewers, especially those unfamiliar with the original story, the implication was that this was new information, a breaking news story with urgent implications for their health. But here’s the truth:
The story is more than a decade old. It originally aired in March 2012, over 13 years ago.
Worse, this isn’t the first time 60 Minutes has been called out for misleading the public on the PIP breast implant case. Shortly after the program was first broadcast, the ABC’s Media Watch revealed that 60 Minutes had concealed evidence and misrepresented facts in its coverage. That sensationalist reporting caused avoidable panic among thousands of Australian women who had received PIP breast implants — many of whom were wrongly led to believe they were in immediate danger.
Here’s What Women Need To Know:
- The gel used in PIP implants is not toxic. Detailed testing by regulatory authorities in Australia and overseas all found that the gel used met the required medical-grade silicone standards and that there is no long term threat from PIP breast implants. There is also no direct link to cancer or increase cancer risk compared to other implants.
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – Australia’s independent health regulator – continues to advise that PIP implants do not need to be removed unless a complication or side effect occurs, such as rupture or capsular contracture. This is the same advice given for all types of breast implants, not just PIP.
- Nothing has changed in 2025. There is no new evidence. No new risks. The only thing that has changed is that a sensationalised story from 2012 has been resurfaced without context, spreading confusion and fear all over again.
Why Has This Happened… Again?
While it’s unclear why 60 Minutes chose to repost this discredited story, without any update, warning, or clarification, the result is clear: a wave of distress and anxiety, especially among women who may have undergone breast augmentation in recent years and are unfamiliar with the original context.
Comments on 60 Minutes’ YouTube channel giving the context and citing the ABC programme discrediting the story have been swiftly removed, keeping the truth from surfacing and 60 Minutes’ deceit from being exposed.
It appears that 60 Minutes has once again let Australian women down. In 2012 it prioritised ratings over their well-being and in 2025 seemingly it believes online engagement is more important.
MINKST Message to Patients
Don’t let 60 Minutes mislead you. Nothing has changed in the medical advice surrounding PIP implants or breast implants in general.
If you’ve come across this story and felt alarmed, hopefully these facts will reassure you. We invite you to watch the Media Watch segment and make up your own mind.
If you are a breast implant patient and have any concerns, the best course of action is to speak with your surgeon or doctor, who can assess your individual case with up-to-date knowledge and clinical guidance.
At MINKST, we remain committed to evidence-based care and transparent communication. We believe in empowering our patients with facts, not fear.
If you have any questions about your implants, upcoming surgery, or anything you’ve seen in the media, please reach out. We’re here to help you feel safe, informed, and confident in your decisions.
FAQs
What are PIP breast implants?
PIP (Poly Implant Prothèse) breast implants were manufactured in France and used globally between 1999 and 2010. In 2010 non-implanted PIP breast implants were recalled from the market following advice from the French regulator (AFSSAPS) that the manufacturer had used unapproved materials in making these devices which may affect their safety and performance.
In light of international concerns about the safety and performance of these implants, the Therapeutic Goods Authority has been conducting an extensive investigation into PIP breast implants, and a considerable amount of evidence has now been collected.
These investigations have not found any evidence to suggest that the risks involved with the use of PIP breast implants are any greater than those for any other brand of silicone gel-filled breast implants.
How do I know if I have PIP breast implants?
If you had breast augmentation between 1999 and 2010 you may have PIP implants. The best way to confirm is by checking your implant card or surgical records. If you’re unsure, a consultation with a qualified surgeon and an imaging scan (such as an ultrasound or MRI) can help determine the type of implants you have.
How do I know if my PIP implants have ruptured?
Ruptured PIP implants don’t always cause symptoms, but signs can include:
- Changes in breast shape or size
- Lumps, tenderness, or swelling
- Pain or inflammation
- Hardening or firmness of the breast
If you’re experiencing any of these, or are concerned, it’s important to have a clinical assessment and imaging scan.
How do I know when my breast implants need replacing?
Breast implants aren’t lifetime devices. Common signs you may need a replacement include:
- Changes in shape or size
- Capsular contracture (hardening of the breast)
- Rupture or leakage
- Discomfort or pain
Most implants last 10–15 years, but regular check-ups and imaging can help monitor their condition even if you don’t have symptoms.
Can PIP implants cause cancer?
The unauthorised gels from tested PIP implants are not cytotoxic (they do not contain chemicals that are toxic to living cells) and are not genotoxic (they do not affect the DNA of cells and so there is no extra risk of cancer from these implants). While rare, some types of implants (not limited to PIP) have been associated with a very rare cancer called BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), but this is not directly linked to PIP implants themselves. If you have concerns, consult your surgeon for personalised advice.