Breast Implant Survivors Applaud Rosa DeLauro

Breast Implant

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro reintroduced FDA Scientific Fairness for Women Act, which would make women's health a priority at FDA by taking politics out of decision-making anout breast implants.

Last November, the FDA lifted its 14-year restriction on the sale of silicone breast implants, yet independent studies show virtually all silicone breast implants disintegrate in the body over time. The largest ever analysis showed approximately half of silicone implants fail within 10 years and three- quarters will rupture within 20. The manufacturers' own data revealed more than half of cancer survivors and one in five cosmetic patients require additional surgery within three years of receiving silicone implants. The FDA ruled silicone manufacturers must conduct a study of 80,000 implant recipients over the next decade to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of the implants.

The bill brought forth by Congresswoman DeLauro would rescind the approval of silicone breast implants, if safety has not been conclusively demonstrated for the life of the implant.

"In a decision that was clearly contrary to the interest of women's health, the FDA placed science second to politics when it recently approved silicone breast implants," said Goldrich. "The DeLauro bill is necessary because it would mean the FDA will be required to pursue the post-market surveillance they promised at the time of implant approval."

"Shouldn't this kind of study have been conducted before giving silicone implants the green light?" McDonough asked. "We've already been down this rocky road in the 1990s with rupturing saline implants. Why can't we ensure proper safety protocols this time around with silicone? We commend Congresswoman DeLauro for taking the initiative to get the FDA to take women's health in to account."