Mature response needed for girls cosmetic surgery: Premier

Premier Anna Bligh is urging Queenslanders to have their say whether teenager girls should have breast implants, nose jobs or tummy tucks.

In releasing details of a Discussion Paper on Children using Cosmetic Surgery and Solaria the Premier told State Parliament that there is evidence of doctors reporting increases in adolescent patients enquiring about, and demanding, cosmetic surgery.

“No one is against such procedures to correct deformities, or address particular physical features that impact on their medical, psychological or social well-being, but major surgery for purely cosmetic reasons for teenagers must be questioned.

“I appreciate this can be a difficult time, especially in a young woman’s development, but to resort to a surgeon’s blade is an adult response best left until one is an adult.”

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said that cosmetic surgery is a burgeoning industry and increased attention is being focussed on young people under the age of 18, particularly girls, seeking procedures to improve their appearance.

“Detailed data on the types and numbers of procedures performed in Australia is not publicly available, nor is there publicly available information about the age of those undergoing cosmetic procedures.

“However, articles appearing in the media in recent years have cited doctors reporting an increase in adolescent patients enquiring about, and demanding, cosmetic surgery – particularly liposuction, breast enhancement and rhinoplasty,” he said.

Ms Bligh said that it was recently reported that one Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon treats more than 100 teenagers a year and that the number is rising 5% a year.

“This increase is consistent with similar cosmetic-practice increases reported in both Sydney and Melbourne.

“A popular Australian young girls’ magazine recently published results of its survey of 4000 girls aged 11 to 18. A quarter of respondents said they would get plastic surgery if they could, and two percent had already done so.

“This is worrying. Any surgery carries a degree of risk.

“As well, with the likes of breast enhancements, there are obvious risks; detection of breast cancer becoming more difficult, infection, further corrective surgery, scarring, and severe pain and even an inability to breast feed later in life.”

Ms Bligh said that anecdotal evidence suggests that this worrying trend is a response by teenagers to the pressures they are feeling to look perfect in an increasingly competitive world obsessed with beauty and celebrity.

“The use of cosmetic surgery for people under 18 years for purely cosmetic reasons is an area where significant legal, social and ethical issues interplay,” she said.

Mr Robertson said it is important that any Government response to this issue is developed in consultation with all stakeholders including young people and their parents; the medical professionals who perform cosmetic procedures; the health and beauty industry; and the wider community.

Ms Bligh said that the Discussion Paper also includes a review of the use of solariums for cosmetic tanning purposes.

“This issue has been the subject of recent national media attention given the death of 26-year-old Claire Oliver who died after developing melanoma, allegedly caused by using solariums.

“I said when I became Premier that I wanted to see Queenslanders doing more to prevent illness and doing more to encourage healthier lifestyles. This fits with that.

“Currently, no Australian state or territory directly regulates the provision of cosmetic surgery to minors, or solariums use by minors.”

“I urge all involved; from parents to specialists, from medical and legal practitioners to civil libertarians to have their say,” said the Premier.

The discussion paper entitled “Have Your Say: Children and Young People Using Cosmetic Surgery and Solarium in Queensland” is available electronically by following the links at: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/

The closing date for submissions is 30 November 2007.

Media: Joshua Cooney  3234 1185