Implants cleared of grave risks.

Breast implants in some women can rupture and cause infections and other serious problems. The implants, however, don't seem to pose life-threatening health risks, a panel of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences reports.

After a lengthy review of implant studies, the committee finds no evidence that the silicone-gel-filled or saline-filled implants pose cancer risks, cause neurological problems, disrupt the immune system, or trigger any novel disease syndrome. The scientists also found no evidence that silicone leached into breast milk of lactating women.

Roughly 1.5 million to 1.8 million U.S. women had silicone breast implants in 1997, when the committee began its review. More than two-thirds of implant operations were done for breast augmentation.