Breast implant research committee sought

Women itching to get a shapelier figure through breast implants might have to jump through a few more hoops than usual to get them, if some lawmakers have their way.

Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. have filed House Bill 3322, or the Breast Implant Research and Information Act, which seeks to create a body under the Department of Health (DOH) that will identify and promote research on health implications of breast implants.

The sibling lawmakers are pushing for the committee’s creation as a means to “provide a complete and accurate information about the potential health risks and advantages of breast implants.”

Rufus Rodriguez added that the committee will focus on studying the links between breast implants and breast diseases, particularly cancer.

“Breast implants have been widely suspected to increase the risk of a range of problems, including cancer, connective tissue disease, implant rupture and hematoma. And despite reports and conjectures showing adverse health impacts of breast implants, there are still women who consider having breast implants,” he said.

The center, however, will need volunteers—women who have had breast implants themselves.

“The committee shall be composed of two representatives from the DOH, one representative from other agencies, four physicians with established credentials in the area of breast implants and two women who have or have had breast implants,” the bill said.

The bill needs to undergo several rounds of voting and deliberation before it can become law. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News