Public forum on breast implants &Question & Article

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Subj: CANADA: Public forum on breast implants to be held in September

Date: 7/5/2005 7:47:53 PM Eastern Standard Time

From: ilena03@...

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2005/05/c8915.html

Public forum on breast implants to be held in September

OTTAWA, July 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh todayannounced that Canadians will have an opportunity to provide comment on thesafety, risks, and benefits of silicone gel-filled breast implants currentlyunder review by Health Canada, through a public forum in Ottawa on September29 and 30, 2005."This event follows closely on Health Canada's recent public forum onselective COX-2 inhibitors, and demonstrates the Department's ongoing effortsto involve the public in its regulatory processes," said Minister Dosanjh.

Health Canada is taking a phased approach to reviewing and assessingthese license applications of silicone gel-filled breast implants, with publicinput being an integral part of Health Canada's decision-making process.

The expert advisory panel meeting and public forum are the second phase in the Department's review and assessment of these license applications, where groupsand individuals can attend the forum in person and/or submit their comments byfax, by mail or online through the Health Canada Web site.

The public forum will allow Canadians to provide input to an ExpertAdvisory Panel. The Expert Advisory Panel has been established by HealthCanada to provide advice on questions posed to them by Health Canada relatedto current licence applications from manufacturers to sell silicone gel-filledbreast implants in Canada. The questions address emerging issues related tothe safety and effectiveness of these devices. The panel includes scientificexperts, who previously met on March 22 and 23, 2005. This was the first phaseof our review process.

The panel has now been expanded to include patient andconsumer experts, who will bring a broader perspective to the issue."I am pleased to announce that Dr. Wells has agreed to chair theexpert panel," said Minister Dosanjh. "As a professor and departmental chairat the University of Ottawa, a senior investigator at the Ottawa HealthResearch Institute and chair of a committee of the Institute of PopulationHealth, Dr. Wells is extremely well-suited to guide the work of the panel andof the public forum. The Department remains committed to considering all perspectives and to making decisions with regard to the licensing of silicone gel-filled breast implants that safeguard the health and safety of Canadiansand allow them to make informed choices.

"Health Canada routinely consults the public and stakeholders throughsurveys, focus groups, mailings, Web consultations, meetings and a scienceadvisory board. Seeking advice from expert advisory panels is a regular partof the risk management process at Health Canada. Such panels generally reviewdata and evidence on scientific subjects, meet to hear presentations,deliberate on specific questions and then provide advice that the Departmentconsiders in making regulatory decisions. Involving the public in this processreflects Health Canada's commitment to openness and transparency in itsdecision-making processes.

Health Canada has launched a Web site that provides further informationon this public forum and allows people to participate online. The Web site canbe accessed at:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/implants/index_e.html .

For those without Internet access, an information package on how to participate inperson or by mail or fax can be requested by calling toll free 1-866-558-2946(from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).In addition to the Chair, the expert advisory panel membership appears asfollows:Hany E. Bissada, MB, Bch (Cairo U.), FRCPC, (Psychiatry)Associate Professor, PsychiatryUniversity of OttawaOttawa, ONMadeline Boscoe, RN (Patient Expert)Executive Director, Canadian Women's Health Network Winnipeg, MBHarold J. , D.Sc. (Materials Specialist)Affiliate Professor, Mechanical EngineeringResearch Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryWashington University Schools of Engineering and MedicineSt. Louis, MO A. Brook, Ph.D. (Chemistry) Professor - Organosilanes and Silicones, Department of ChemistryMcMaster University Chemistry, McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON Brown, MD, FRCPC (Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery)Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic SurgeonSunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences CenterToronto, ONBrent Burbridge, MD, FRCPC (Radiology)Academic Head, Department of Medical ImagingCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SKa M. Chidwick, Ph.D (Ethics)Director of Clinical and Corporate Ethics / Ethicist Osler Health Centre Brampton, ON Michel Fournier, Ph.D. (Immunotoxicity) Professor, INRS-Institut Armand-FrappierCampus Pointe-Pointe-, QC Karsh, MDMC, FRCPC (Rheumatology)ProfessorDepartment of Medicine, University of OttawaOttawa, ON Sheila Lamb, RN, M.S.N. (Patient Expert)Clinical Nurse SpecialistVancouver Hospital & Health Science CentreVancouver, BCHelen Mark, RN (Patient Expert)Nurse ClinicianThe Henrietta Banting Breast Centre,Sunnybrook & Women's College HospitalToronto, ON Schreuer (Patient Expert)Patient Navigator, Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program President, Canadian Breast Cancer NetworkBoard Member, Canadian Breast Cancer Research AllianceHalifax, NS One expert in breast surgery/oncology is being recruited.

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Subj: Could you please post ?

Date: 7/3/2005 8:49:06 PM Eastern Standard Time

From: roxygardens@...

Dear Kathy,

I wonder if you can put this out there for me.

Thanks much & have a happy & safe holiday!

nne~

Ladies,

East Coast woman considering a move to Southern California.

I would like to correspond with women who live in that part of the country.

You can write to me at Roxygardens@...

Thanks,

nne

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Subj: S. AFRICA: Breasts get US worked up

Date: 7/2/2005 10:25:36 AM Eastern Standard Time

From: ilena.rose@...

Millicent Merton

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1730224,00.html

Cape Town - Women with silicone breast prostheses are advised to carry a doctor's letter with them if they want to escape inspection by American customs and security officials. The Netcare travel clinics have issued a warning to women who have had a mastectomy and who use external silicone prostheses as they are targeted as a potential terrorist threat by American security officers.

Dr son, director of Netcare travel clinics, said since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 reports have been received from time to time of people with prostheses who experience problems at airports, especially as a result of increased security measures.

According a travel clinic official in America one of his patients, who had undergone a mastectomy, was held for more than four hours by security personnel at Amsterdam's Schipol airport who searched passengers destined for a flight to the United States. The security officers were concerned that her silicone prosthesis could possibly have been used to hide explosives.

She was allowed to proceed after the prosthesis had been surrendered to them for proper investigation. Travel clinic operators in die US recommend that women with external prostheses should acquire a letter from a doctor. The contact information of the doctor should be on the letter, should it be necessary to confirm the information. son said many travellers to the US with prostheses of any description have been targeted in the past.

This varies from people with metal joints, artificial limbs and people wearing orthopaedic shoes. "Travellers are recommended to take an official letter with them when they visit the US. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~www.BreastImplantAwareness.org