Health Canada has officially banned Allergan’s Biocell textured breast implants after a safety review found the products pose an increased risk of a rare form of cancer.

The regulatory decision to yank the licences for the implants follows a joint investigation by the Toronto Star, CBC News and Radio-Canada that revealed mounting safety concerns about the products.

Last month, Allergan filed material with the government in a bid to keep the implants on the market, but the regulator said the manufacturer’s evidence was “insufficient.”

“The department concluded that the potential risks associated with the devices outweigh the potential benefits,” Health Canada said in a statement released Tuesday.

Read more from The Implant Files series:

Part 1: Faulty and unproven medical devices implanted in Canadian patients despite known risks

Part 2: Biocell breast implants at centre of ‘biggest controversy in plastic surgery’

Part 3: This company has paid millions to settle claims it defrauded U.S. government health programs. Now it’s partnering with Canadian public hospitals

Part 4: Breast-implant-related complications, including cancer, kept secret thanks to broken reporting system

Part 5: ‘My entire body was shutting down.’ Breast implant recipients say doctors gloss over risks

Part 6: ‘Please take textured breast implants off the market.’ Cancer survivors among Canadians urging FDA hearing to ban devices

Allergan said in a statement Tuesday that it “continues to stand firmly behind” the safety of its breast implant products.

“The company plans to explore options to appeal this decision with Health Canada,” the statement said. “Patient safety is Allergan’s highest priority.”

The textured implants — which have a sandpaper-like surface — have been linked to a form of lymphoma called breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), as well as a range of other auto-immune-like symptoms including cognitive issues, fatigue and muscle pain.

In February, Health Canada reopened its safety review of breast implants after more Canadian women reported symptoms of the rare cancer.

Health Canada said of the 26 confirmed Canadian cases of BIA-ALCL, 85 per cent involved Biocell implants. The estimated risk of developing the cancer for Biocell implants is 1 in 3,565, the regulator said.

Allergan has agreed to voluntarily recall unused Biocell implants. Allergan’s other breast implant products are not affected by the ban.

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The Toronto Star/CBC investigation was conducted with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and included interviews with dozens of Canadian women who attributed serious health impacts to Biocell implants.

Following the global investigation, use of Allergan’s textured implants was suspended in Europe and Brazil. Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the risks associated with the implants did not warrant a ban.