Page 4 - Robyn Towt SD Woman Magazine

Women of Distinction

Robyn points out that pa- point do surgeons consider opti- ing process? What effect is this ing this experience. You, or they,
tients choosing reconstructive mal health first…” Informed Consent legislation may have many more questions
surgery can have anywhere from With multiple extensive having on patients and the both about the issues we’ve dis-
10-15 up to 25-30 surgeries to surgeries, there are multi- breast cancer community? Are cussed, or more personal ques-
“get it right”. “There’s a lot of ple issues to consider. The ef- doctors embracing the Shared tions... Robyn suggests connect-
money coming into these sur- fects of multiple times under Decision Making concept and ing with GPAC (Global Patient
geons who are performing these general anesthesia, recovery guidelines implemented? Advocacy Coalition) at www.
operations”. time, changes in mobility, and My hope is that this article GPACunited.org. If you’d like to
The choice was very clear to range of motion for example. has at least raised your aware- connect with Robyn directly she
Robyn. In her journey, she knew Note “...they take pieces of your ness about some of the issues can be reached at GPACunited.
her quality of life and remaining body from other parts to build surrounding a breast cancer robyntowt@gmail.com
active were most important to a breast mound for these recon- diagnosis and what your rights Click on or copy the link be-
her so multiple surgeries and structive surgeries…” How much and options might be. Maybe low to read additional informa-
the risk of recurrence made that of that is taking away from each you know someone who is hav- tion on this important topic.
decision easy. However, “There woman’s quality of life?
are some women that have re- Informed Consent and
ally strong ties to their breasts. Shared Decision Making become Conflicts of Interest in the
They feel it’s such an important especially important. including
part of their womanhood and practitioners getting to know Medical Device Industry
their sexuality…” Or those who, their patients and their lifestyles.
Robyn Towt | GPAC
for whatever reason, feel breast “Patients need to know, upfront, Global Patient Advocacy Coalition
reconstruction is a better option. the problems that can come
For these women, the decision from these surgeries so they can
isn’t quite so clear. make educated decisions”.
From a health standpoint, There is so much more that
there are many considerations, can be said in relation to this dis-
both from the patient's and the cussion. How involved are family Physicians
https://tinyurl.com/yc6cfy4x
surgeon's perspectives. “At what members in your decision-mak- According to the ASPS (American Society of Plastic
Surgeons) annual plastic surgery statistics report,
$16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in Industry
the U.S. in 2020. 1 Many of these procedures involve
medical devices and pharmaceutical products. The global medical device market was valued at
Physicians routinely receive substantial $412.4 billion in 2020, with $160.1 billion in North
compensation from medical device manufacturers America. 3 Global aesthetic medical devices are
and pharmaceutical companies in the form of gifts, projected to be valued at $15.1 billion in 2024, with
travel, royalties, research grants, and consulting North America dominating the market. Two of the
contracts. top key players in the aesthetic device industry are
Abbvie (Allergan) and Johnson & Johnson (Mentor).
In a 2008 Health and Human Services Senate These companies are also two of top breast implant
Hearing, Gregory E. Demske, from the Office of manufacturers.
Inspector General, testified to the U.S. Senate
regarding the financial relationships between With such a large amount of money at stake, it goes
physicians and the medical device industry. In his without saying that medical devices and cosmetic
testimony he states, “scientific evidence suggests procedures are both highly lucrative businesses.
that there is a significant risk that payments will Combine the two together and there is big money
improperly influence medical decision making. involved, really big money. Let’s examine one of the
Researchers reporting in medical journals, such as leading breast implant manufacturers and the
the Journal of the American Medical Association and money trail that leads to a group of physicians who
the New England Journal of Medicine, have found have strategically placed themselves in positions
that such financial industry-physician relationships where their influence has controlled the narrative
are pervasive and the impulse to reciprocate for of patient safety and informed consent practices for
even small gifts has a powerful influence on decades.
behavior.” 2

Est. 1987
Gail Owens

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