External Brain

An alleged rogue surgeon has been suspended by the General Medical Council after it emerged he might have performed unnecessary or inappropriate breast operations on more than 1,000 women in Britain.

Ian Stuart Paterson, a breast cancer specialist who worked at NHS and private hospitals in the Midlands from 1994 until last month, is suspected of misdiagnosing at least 450 of the women with breast cancer when they were in fact healthy, and then performing unnecessary lumpectomy surgery.

He also performed unconventional cleavage-sparing mastectomies on 700 other women, despite the procedure not being sanctioned in the UK. The technique involved leaving breast tissue around the cleavage area for cosmetic reasons but went against national guidelines which state that no excess tissue should be left behind as this could lead to a return of the cancer.

According to Thompsons solicitors, who are representing almost 100 of the affected patients on a no win, no fee basis as they launch compensation claims: Many of the women operated on by Mr Paterson using this controversial technique have had to undergo further surgery to remove the excess tissue and unfortunately some have had their cancer return — via redwolf.newsvine.com

For the first time, the United Nations says access to contraception is a universal human right.

In its annual report released Wednesday, the UN Population Fund says family planning could dramatically improve the lives of women in poor countries and declared any legal, cultural or financial barriers to contraception an infringement of women’s rights.

Women who use contraception are generally healthier, better educated, more empowered in their households and communities and more economically productive, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the fund, wrote in a statement obtained by CBS News. Women’s increased labour-force participation boosts nations’ economies.

The report is not binding and has no legal effect on national laws — via redwolf.newsvine.com