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MP urges breast-implant tracking

By STAFF. A Manitoba MP has renewed her fight to make Ottawa track breast implants across the country. "Breast implants have been ...

http://winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2006/05/30/1605826-sun.html

A Manitoba MP has renewed her fight to make Ottawa track breast implants across the country.

"Breast implants have been shown in the past to pose a serious health risk to women, yet we are lacking the basic tools for independent monitoring to keep track of their health impacts," said Judy Wasylycia-Leis, the NDP MP for Winnipeg North.

Wasylycia-Leis first introduced the private member's bill on March 29, 2004. That bill died, but she's convinced her effort to track implants and post-surgery side-effects deserves a second chance under a new government.

"Any government that is serious about reducing health-care costs, must take anything meant to prevent new costs seriously," she said.

"There is a list of health consequences for breast implants as long as your arm."

Wasylycia-Leis said studies have linked silicone breast implants to forms of arthritis and immune disorders, among other ailments.

Health Canada imposed a moratorium on silicone implant use in 1992, which is now under review.

It's estimated between 100,000 and 200,000 Canadian women have breast implants.

Breast implant registries are already in place in Britain and the U.S.

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