Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 23:42:38 -0700

To: Recipient List Suppressed:;

COMMENTS ABOUT THE ARTICLE ON BREAST REMOVAL

Below, I have listed all of the responses I have received so far from the letter I sent out regarding breast removal to ease fear of cancer. I was appalled to discover that the doctors had talked the ladies into getting breast implants when they were having the surgery to rid their fears of getting cancer. I was sorry to see that this included some of our ladies. Now, they have to worry about the illnesses caused from implants. I was not surprised that this study originated at Mayo. Look at the damage they have done to all of us with their tainted studies. Now, thousands of women are not getting proper medical care because of their study. What a disgrace to the medical community.

Lany

ORIGINAL LETTER FROM LANY:

Women who have their breasts removed rather than face a high risk of cancer usually beat the disease and keep their romantic lives, says a Mayo Clinic survey. A study of 572 women who had both breasts removed between 1960 and 1993 found that 90 percent of the patients with a family history of breast cancer did not develop tumors. Seventy-four percent reported lowering of concern they would develop breast cancer, and 58 percent went farther to say their overall stress levels plummeted. Marlene Frost, lead researcher on the project at the Rochester, Minn., medical center, says she found "no terrible psychological effects." Nearly three-quarters reported their sexual relationships, and 67 percent their senses of femininity, were not changed by the surgery. Overall, 43 percent of women said they would definitely do it all over again, 24 percent probably would, 15 percent were unsure, 8 percent probably would not and 10 percent definitely would not. The survey is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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MAYO at its best...which is pitiful. Sue

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I had a modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer in 1986, Dec. In Feb. 1987, I was told that the type of cncer i had always shows up in other breast sooner or later and I should have a prophylactic mastectomy. I did and the pathology showed a beginning cancer. I would do it all over again except for gettng implants. I am free of cancer but will never be free of silicone. Margaret, Albuquerque, NM

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When I was 41 years old, I had subcutaneous mastectomies for severe fibrocystic disease. The surgery had been recommended to me by at least two general surgeons, who advised me that with the number of cysts, of varying sizes - anything from b-b size to as big as a quarter - they would never be able to detect cancer, should it develop, until too late. This was in the early days of mammography - in the late 60's, when it was difficult to find (and keep) technicians and radiologists who were trained to perform, and read, them. After four years of hearing this, and tiring of going to see the surgeon every 2-6 weeks, I decided to have the operation. Am I sorry - definitely not sorry for having the subcutaenuos mastectomy - I wish now that I had had a full mastectomy - but I am sorry that I was sold on the idea - and consented - to have the silicone implants. On at least three occassions I told the plastic surgeon that I did not want to be a guinea pig, and wanted only something that was safe, and would not require further surgery. Each time I was assured that the implants were safe, and that they would last a lifetime..well, we know better now, don't we?? I found out this winter that they were ruptured - nobody knows for how long - and judging from the size after explant, a lot of the silicone has dispersed into my body, and I am now paying the price; the loss of much of my short term memory, muscle problems, much loss of the use of my left hand - the loss of vision for about 45 minutes in one eye, etc, etc...Yes, I am very sorry that I allowed myself to be SOLD (that plastic surgeon should be in a used car lot - he'd be good there, and could inflict so much less pain and suffering) on having breast implants. Carolyn

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Life After Breast Implants

SBIPrayerForum 

The folloeing article has been converted from .txt file to .html file by:

Sandy Bussières, Amqui(Quebec), member of I.I.M. inc.

We want to say "Thanks Sandy" for your wonderful work.