Innaccurate reporting

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Recent Silicone Breast Implant News Reports Inaccurate - Devices StillFaulty Even as Manufacturers Push To Lift All Restrictions on TheirSaleLOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent news reports incorrectlystate thatsilicone breast implants have no health risks. This information is indirectcontradiction with medical evidence, which shows that siliconeimplants cancause painful and potentially deadly problems, from infection toincreasedcancer risk. Despite mounting evidence against the devices,manufacturers haveannounced plans to seek a lifting of all restrictions on their sale."Breast implants lead to a lifetime of repeat surgeries," said SybilNidenGoldrich, founder of the Command Trust Network. "The fewpeer-reviewed studieson long-term risks show increased rates of fibromyalgia and certaincancers."Goldrich was the first woman to go public with breast implant problemsnearlyfifteen years ago. Her activism led to some restrictions on thedevices.Safety Problems Well-Known According to a 1995 New England Journal of Medicine article, one infour womenwill need surgery within five years because of problems related totheir breastimplants. Another study in which over 8,000 devices were analyzedfound thatnearly half of silicone breast implants fall apart in the body withinten yearsand three-quarters rupture within 20.The most common complication is painful tightening and hardening ofthe breastthat can lead to deformity or movement of the implant away from thebreast.Other problems include loss of nipple sensation, painful rashes andnumbness.Silicone is also known to move away from the breast to other parts ofthe body.Long-Term Health Complications Although it is known that health problems increase markedly ten yearsafterimplantation, very little data are available on long-term healtheffects. AnFDA team reported in 2001 that women with ruptured silicone breastimplants aresignificantly more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia and otherillnesses. A National Institutes of Health study showed a 21 percentover-allincrease in cancers and a doubling in stomach, cervical, vulvar andbraincancers.Hidden Costs of Implants Implants mean a lifetime of repeat surgeries, usually on a cash basiswith noreimbursement. All implants eventually have to be replaced. Complicationsrequire additional surgery, the cost of which may be theresponsibility of thepatient because many insurance companies will increase premiums ordropcoverage for breast implant-related injuries.Mammography Obscured Breast implants make mammography difficult, potentially delaying thedetectionof cancer. Implants may also rupture during mammography because ofsqueezing.Breast Implants Never Properly Regulated When Congress first gave the FDA authority to regulate medical devicesin 1976,implants were "grandfathered in" although manufacturers had neversubmittedsafety data. In 1992 the FDA declared some restrictions on theirsale,limiting them to breast cancer survivors and women replacing thedevices. In1998 the FDA allowed silicone breast implants back on the market forcosmeticprocedures under loosely monitored clinical trials. Ironically, theGovernmenthas been reimbursed millions of dollars by manufacturers for paymentsrelatedto breast implant injuries and health problems.Other Resources for Women The Command Trust Network's free brochure "Are Breast Implants forYou" can beordered by e-mailing commandtrust@... Women should also consultthe FDA's"Breast Implant Consumer Handbook," available at 1-888-INFO-FDA orhttp://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants .About the Command Trust Network The Command Trust Network was founded in 1988 by Sybil Niden Goldrichto ensurethat women would be provided with adequate information beforereceiving breastimplants. Goldrich received implants after a bilateral mastectomy.SOURCE Command Trust Network _________________________________________________________________________ OTHER TOXIC NEWS & VIEWS