[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 83 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1032-E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF BREAST IMPLANT RESOLUTION

                                 ______


                       HON. BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, what are the facts on silicone breast 
implants? Are they safe? Do they lead to immune disorders in women? 
There are no clear answers to these questions, but conflicting 
information has been provided to American women--making it difficult 
for women to make important health decisions.
  In 1992, the FDA Commissioner imposed significant restrictions on 
access to silicone breast implants, based on concerns that there may be 
a connection between immune disorders and women who have silicone 
breast implants. Recent scientific studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic 
and Harvard Medical School suggest that there is no evidence of a 
connection between silicone implants and autoimmune disease or classic 
autoimmune symptoms. Many women, however, have questioned the validity 
of these studies. The FDA has not issued a definitive statement on the 
relationship between silicone gel breast implants.
  This indecisive action has caused many problems for women in the 
United States. Some women neglect to obtain proper breast care due to 
the fear and uncertainty surrounding the issue. For women with breast 
implants, adequate information on breast care is not readily available 
since the National Cancer Institute and other health agencies are 
waiting to develop information, pending FDA's action. This also means 
that very few postmastectomy breast cancer patients have access to 
silicone breast implants, since they must participate in clinical 
trials to obtain these devices. As a breast cancer survivor, I 
recognize the importance of breast health and the fear and confusion in 
determining the best treatment for the patient. Information about 
breast implants could help alleviate that fear.
  Unfortunately, this also has a broader impact on the public by 
adversely affecting the supply of raw materials used in other 
lifesaving products such as pacemakers, heart valves, hip and knee 
joints, and artificial blood vessels.
  Today, I am introducing a resolution which expresses the sense of the 
House that the

[[Page E1033]]

FDA should take immediate steps to resolve the fears and concerns of 
women with breast cancer by issuing a definitive relationship, or lack 
thereof, between silicone gel breast implants and connective tissue 
disease, classic autoimmune symptoms and other serious diseases. This 
resolution also calls on the FDA and the National Cancer Institute to 
develop recommendations for breast care practices for women with breast 
implants. This resolution has the support of the National Breast Cancer 
Coalition. It is time for the FDA to give women the information they 
need to make wise decisions about their health and their lives. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in this effort.

                          ____________________