FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2004
NDP INTRODUCES BILL TO SET UP BREAST IMPLANT REGISTRY
"Women's health is at risk and Canada has no way of accurately assessing
the risk of implants or coordinating a response, when problems arise." -
Judy Wasylycia-Leis
OTTAWA - New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis today introduced a Private
Member's Bill to establish a national breast implant registry to monitor
implant procedures and further scientific research.
"This bill is designed to fill an important void in women's health
protection," said Wasylycia-Leis. "Breast implants have been shown to pose
a serious health risk, yet we currently have no way of either accurately
assessing that risk or coordinating a response, should problems arise."
It is estimated that 100,000 to 200,000 Canadian women have breast
implants. In 1992, health problems associated with silicone implants
prompted Health Canada to impose a moratorium on their use. Implants using
a soybean oil substance necessitated a major recall in Britain in
2000. The British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health has
researched the health issues surrounding implants and has recommended a
registry.
"Canada's leading authorities in this field have called for a
registry. The Canadian Women's Health Network supports a registry. Yet it
doesn't seem to be a government priority," says Wasylycia-Leis. "It took
this government 10 years to pass legislation to protect women's health in
assisted reproduction. We can't afford to wait that long to act again -
women's health is at stake."
Breast implantation is used in cosmetic or reconstructive surgery and is
considered elective. It is generally performed in private health clinics
outside of the monitoring capacity of the public health system. Many
problems associated with implants surface after several years. With no
comprehensive record-keeping mechanism, necessary long-term data is
unavailable.
"This bill would set up a registry that protects women's privacy, yet
enables the research we need to make sound, informed safety
decisions. Just as importantly, it means women can be alerted quickly to
any health threats that develop. This is a public health issue and a
federal government responsibility."
Other forms of registries exist in Britain and the United States with
several European nations collecting corresponding information in various ways.
For more information:
Judy Wasylycia-Leis (613) 992-6417
or Charles Brabazon (613) 996-6425
www.ndp.ca
Additional breast implant resources
September 21, 2005 Financial conflict of interest for members on breast implant advisory panel unacceptable: Health Canada appointed paid consultants of manufacturers to "independent" review body - Women and Health Protection
Breastimplantinfo.org - The Implant Information Project of the National
Research Center for Women & Families
>From the FDA Advisory Panel
Inamed Silicone Breast Implants Lack Sufficient Long-Term Safety Data,
Panel Says
FDA's General & Plastic Surgery Devices Panel voted against approval for
Inamed's silicone gel-filled breast implants, citing insufficient
long-term data.
The panel decided 5-4 against recommending approval at the April 12
meeting, following a day of emotional public comment on April 11, 2005.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004 Globe and Mail article: Register
breast implants
October 29, 2003
Researchers Call On Federal
Government to Create Breast Implant Registry
British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health report
(2003): Health
Care Utilization among Women who have Undergone Breast Implant Surgery
Busted: the dangers
of surgical breast implants - Canadian Women's Health Network
It's
your health: breast implants - Health Canada
Health complications from breast implant surgery common: follow up procedures from private cosmetic surgery draws on public health system - Canadian Women's Health Network
Registering
the impact of breast implants - Centres of Excellence for Women's Health
Posted: March 2004
Updated: January 2006
