I’m Mary McDonough. You may recognize my name from the days when I was Erin on the long-running TV program, The Waltons. I started In the Know because the entertainment industry provides many of our society’s cultural cues, and it was time women in and outside of the entertainment industry had a source and forum where information could be gathered and shared, not only on cosmetic procedures, but also health and body image issues. You can learn about my personal experience with implants, and the experiences of some of my friends, here.

In the Know’s most immediate concern right now is that silicone breast implants, after a 14-year ban over questions about their safety, are available once again. The U.S. FDA lifted restrictions on their sale in November 2006. So what has changed since 2004? New studies? Good safety data indicating the health risks of silicone are minimal? No. The fact is, nothing has changed.

So the FDA is still not taking safety seriously. It's like a big experiment on women. We simply do not have enough data to understand the health risks about breast implants.

How can women protect our health? One way would be to learn more, which you can do that by signing up for our newsletter. You can also be an advocate and help us continue the very important work of informing policymakers, the press, and the public about breast implant risks by signing up and acting on our action alerts. Finally, you can share your story.

My heartfelt welcome to the new faces coming on board, and best wishes in our future fight!

Sincerely,
Mary McDonough