Fw: Canada ... Breast implant registry proposed

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ilena! The truth is going to come out, one way or another. Implants are a burden on the health care system...no matter what country we're talking about.

----- Original Message ----- From: ilena rose

ilena@...

Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 10:50 AM

Subject: Canada ... Breast implant registry proposed

http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_implants20031112

Breast implant registry proposed

WebPosted Nov 12 2003 08:23 AM PST

VANCOUVER - The federal government should establish a national

registry for breast implants, say B.C. medical researchers.

They say the government should keep track of the private surgeries,

because they're costing the public system money.

They note that the number of breast implants is increasing

dramatically among young women – a trend that troubles Vancouver

epidemiologist Aleina Tweed.

"I find it a little concerning, given that we really don't yet have

the scientific evidence to prove the safety of either silicone or

saline implants," she says.

Tweed says the registry would track whether certain breast implants –

or certain surgical procedures Ÿ result in health complications and

adverse effects.

"I think it would benefit women because they could make more informed

decisions, and thus I think are better decisions, about this surgery,"

says Tweed, the author of a new study.

LINK: Report on impact of breat implants on health care system (PDF)

Tweed also says that while most breast implants are paid for

privately, they have a major impact on the public health care system.

Her study found women with breast implants are four times more likely

to access health care than women without them.

And more than half of the women with implants required follow-up

surgery, which was paid for by the government.

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