At the same time, another 20, 000 carers will be newly awarded an allowance as a result of the PIP reassessment - meaning a net total of 5, 000 carers who will miss out.

BBC: Thousands of carers set to lose benefits

Until it is clear how the PIP implants differed, and what risks are posed, "there is no reason to scare the hell out of all of these women who have implants, " said Joseph K. McLaughlin, a researcher at the International Epidemiology Institute in Rockville, Md.

WSJ: Breast-Implant Risk Remains a Fluid Question