1.   Instead, many women with silicone gel implants were clamoring to have them removed amid reports they might be unsafe.

2.   Susan Scherr, a breast cancer patient, said she received a silicone gel implant as part of her reconstructive surgery and has had no problems.

3.   The FDA has been criticized for not adequately testing the silicone gel implants, ruptured and leaked in thousands of women, causing tissue and other damage.

4.   Two studies presented Tuesday found no association between silicone gel breast implants and connective-tissue disease, confirming earlier findings in smaller studies.

5.   Only two California-based companies, Mentor and McGhan Corps., continue to study gel implants for cancer patients.

6.   It continues to permit the use of silicone gel implants for reconstructive surgery, but the patients must enroll in a five-year study of possible health impacts.