Fw: Letter to the editor of TIME re implants

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: CPR4WandF@...

CPR4WandF@...

Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 9:30 PM

Subject: Letter to the editor of TIME re implants

Some of you saw Time magazine's brief reference to breast implants, which suggested that the latest NIH study indicated they do not cause breast cancer. Our staff scientist wrote a response that was published in the latest issue of Time: Implants Affect Mammograms The article "Your A To Z Guide To The Year In Medicine" [THE FUTURE OF DRUGS, Jan. 15] correctly cited a National Institutes of Health study that concluded there is no evidence that breast-implant patients have an added risk for breast cancer. However, you failed to note that the NIH study and other new research show that implants can cause a delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer because they interfere with the ability of a mammogram to reveal breast cancer. A delay in diagnosis means a delay in treatment, which can be fatal. Unfortunately, even with specialized mammograms, almost 30% of cancers in women with implants may not be visible because implants block the view. The problem increases with larger implants or if the implants cause the breasts to harden. PATRICIA LIEBERMAN National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families ----------------- Zuckerman, Ph.D. Executive Director National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families 1444 Eye Street, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 www.cpr4womenandfamilies.org