Finding the resources and information you're looking for is a daunting task. Discovering good, sound and reliable sources can be even more difficult — especially on the Internet.

For those of you living with a past or present diagnosis of cancer, being well informed is one of your best defenses. Some of you have asked recently about finding research updates, the latest in treatment options and how to know what's best for you.

Here are some ideas on how to find the information and education resources that you're looking for:

Get personalized assistance — Go in person to your clinic or health care center and ask if they have a patient library or resource center. Most often the library or education center is staffed with a librarian and educators who can assist in your search for research updates, information and resources. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Rochester, Minn., has a Cancer Education Center located on the lobby level of the Gonda building that's open every day (Mon. - Fri.) and can assist with your personal information and educational needs. For more information call 507-266-9288.

Find reliable sources online — Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Mayoclinic.com — search on the cancer topic you are researching and receive the latest evidence-based updates, see also the links at the bottom of each page for references related to the content.For information and education resources that you can download, go to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Publications Locator (www.cancer.gov) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).For information about cancer clinical trials, see our Mayo Clinic site (go to the Resource tab on this page and link to cancer clinical trials) or the NCI site and search for the Clinical Trial Homepage.For excellent research updates see Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (www.cancercenter.mayo.edu), the American Institute for Cancer Research (www.aicr.org), the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or the American Association of Cancer Research (www.aacr.org).

Subscribe to a cancer journal or newsletter — a few suggestions include:

Mayo Clinic "Living with Cancer" newsletter (link to subscribe is on this page)"Coping with Cancer" magazine and website (www.copingmag.com/cwc/index.php)"CURE (Cancer Updates, Research & Education)" (www.curetoday.com)"CR" magazine — from the American Association for Cancer Research (www.crmagazine.org)

Feel free to share other excellent resources that have helped you in your search for information as a cancer survivor.

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When the Food and Drug Administration allowed silicone gel-filled breast implants back on the market in November 2006, the agency required the manufacturers to conduct follow-up studies to learn more about the long-term performance and safety of the devices.

Today, FDA released a report that includes preliminary safety data from these studies, as well as other safety information from recent scientific publications and adverse events reported to FDA.

FDA approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for increasing breast size (augmentation) in women age 22 or older and for reconstruction (after breast cancer surgery or other medical issues) in all women. They are also approved for revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original augmentation or reconstruction surgery.

Almost five years later, FDA’s report continues to support the safety and effectiveness of these implants when used as intended, but states that women should fully understand the risks before considering getting them.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer a woman has them, the more likely she is to have complications and need to have the implants removed or replaced. Women with breast implants will need to monitor their breasts for the rest of their lives.The most frequently observed complications and adverse outcomes are tightening of the area around the implant (capsular contracture), additional surgeries, and implant removal. Other complications include a tear or hole in the outer shell (implant rupture), wrinkling, uneven appearance (asymmetry), scarring, pain, and infection.Studies to date do not indicate that silicone gel-filled breast implants cause breast cancer, reproductive problems, or connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, no study has been large enough or long enough to completely rule out these and other rare complications.

FDA is working with the two manufacturers who make silicone gel-filled breast implants, Allergan and Mentor, to address the challenges in collecting follow-up data on the women who have received these implants.

“It is important that women with breast implants who experience any symptoms see their health care providers,” says Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Women who have enrolled in clinical studies should continue to participate so that we can better understand the long-term performance of these implants and identify any potential problems.”

FDA also provided other information today on both silicone gel-filled and saline-filled breast implants:

FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants do the following:

Follow up. Continue to routinely follow up with your health care provider. Get routine MRIs to detect a rupture that you may not be aware of (silent rupture).  FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants get screenings for silent ruptures three years after they get implants and every two years after that.Be aware. Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer you have breast implants, the more likely you are to have complications. One in 5 patients who received implants for breast augmentation will need them removed within 10 years of implantation. For patients who received implants for breast reconstruction, as many as 1 in 2 will require removal within 10 years of implantation.Pay attention to changes. Notify your health care provider if you develop any unusual signs or symptoms. Report any serious side effects to the breast implant manufacturer and MedWatch, FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. Report online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html or by calling 800-332-1088.Stay in touch. If you’re enrolled in a manufacturer-sponsored study, continue to participate. These studies are the best way to collect information about the long-term rates of complications.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products. 

 

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When the Food and Drug Administration allowed silicone gel-filled breast implants back on the market in November 2006, the agency required the manufacturers to conduct follow-up studies to learn more about the long-term performance and safety of the devices.

Today, FDA released a report that includes preliminary safety data from these studies, as well as other safety information from recent scientific publications and adverse events reported to FDA.

FDA approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for increasing breast size (augmentation) in women age 22 or older and for reconstruction (after breast cancer surgery or other medical issues) in all women. They are also approved for revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original augmentation or reconstruction surgery.

Almost five years later, FDA’s report continues to support the safety and effectiveness of these implants when used as intended, but states that women should fully understand the risks before considering getting them.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer a woman has them, the more likely she is to have complications and need to have the implants removed or replaced. Women with breast implants will need to monitor their breasts for the rest of their lives.The most frequently observed complications and adverse outcomes are tightening of the area around the implant (capsular contracture), additional surgeries, and implant removal. Other complications include a tear or hole in the outer shell (implant rupture), wrinkling, uneven appearance (asymmetry), scarring, pain, and infection.Studies to date do not indicate that silicone gel-filled breast implants cause breast cancer, reproductive problems, or connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, no study has been large enough or long enough to completely rule out these and other rare complications.

FDA is working with the two manufacturers who make silicone gel-filled breast implants, Allergan and Mentor, to address the challenges in collecting follow-up data on the women who have received these implants.

“It is important that women with breast implants who experience any symptoms see their health care providers,” says Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Women who have enrolled in clinical studies should continue to participate so that we can better understand the long-term performance of these implants and identify any potential problems.”

FDA also provided other information today on both silicone gel-filled and saline-filled breast implants:

FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants do the following:

Follow up. Continue to routinely follow up with your health care provider. Get routine MRIs to detect a rupture that you may not be aware of (silent rupture).  FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled breast implants get screenings for silent ruptures three years after they get implants and every two years after that.Be aware. Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer you have breast implants, the more likely you are to have complications. One in 5 patients who received implants for breast augmentation will need them removed within 10 years of implantation. For patients who received implants for breast reconstruction, as many as 1 in 2 will require removal within 10 years of implantation.Pay attention to changes. Notify your health care provider if you develop any unusual signs or symptoms. Report any serious side effects to the breast implant manufacturer and MedWatch, FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. Report online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html or by calling 800-332-1088.Stay in touch. If you’re enrolled in a manufacturer-sponsored study, continue to participate. These studies are the best way to collect information about the long-term rates of complications.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products. 

June 22, 2011

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