Changes

The Summary Report from the U.S. National Cancer Institute's workshop, "Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer," reached contradictory conclusions with respect to the link between abortion and breast cancer.  It acknowledges one of the two breast cancer risks associated with abortion - the protective effect of a full term pregnancy - but then contradicts itself by stating that "Induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk."

The Summary Report from the U.S. [[National Cancer Institute]]'s workshop, "Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer," reached contradictory conclusions with respect to the link between abortion and breast cancer.  It acknowledges one of the two breast cancer risks associated with abortion - the protective effect of a full term pregnancy - but then contradicts itself by stating that "Induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk."

The Summary Report acknowledges that increased childbearing, starting at an early age, and increased duration of breastfeeding reduce risk.<ref>Summary Report: Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer Workshop. U.S. National Cancer Institute.  Available [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/ere-workshop-report here].</ref>  Childbearing helps protect women from breast cancer because it provides the only means for a woman to mature her cancer-vulnerable tissue into cancer-resistant tissue.   

The Summary Report acknowledges that increased childbearing, starting at an early age, and increased duration of breastfeeding reduce risk.<ref>Summary Report: Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer Workshop. U.S. National Cancer Institute.  Available [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/ere-workshop-report here].</ref>  Childbearing helps protect women from breast cancer because it provides the only means for a woman to mature her cancer-vulnerable tissue into cancer-resistant tissue.   

The Recognized Risk of Abortion - Loss of the Protective Effect of Childbearing

==The Recognized Risk of Abortion - Loss of the Protective Effect of Childbearing==

Breast tissue consists of lobules (milk glands and a duct) and supportive tissue.  The childless woman's breasts overwhelmingly consist of primitive, immature, cancer-vulnerable lobules called Type 1 and 2 lobules. <ref>Lanfranchi A. The science, studies and sociology of the abortion-breast cancer link. Research Bulletin 2005;18:1-8. Available [http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/June2005.pdf here]

Breast tissue consists of lobules (milk glands and a duct) and supportive tissue.  The childless woman's breasts overwhelmingly consist of primitive, immature, cancer-vulnerable lobules called Type 1 and 2 lobules. <ref>Lanfranchi A. The science, studies and sociology of the abortion-breast cancer link. Research Bulletin 2005;18:1-8. Available [http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/June2005.pdf here]

Consequently, there is no debate in the scientific community that the young woman who has an abortion has a greater breast cancer risk than the one who has a baby.

Consequently, there is no debate in the scientific community that the young woman who has an abortion has a greater breast cancer risk than the one who has a baby.

The Debated Risk of Abortion - The Independent Link

==The Debated Risk of Abortion - The Independent Link==

Scientists continue to debate only one breast cancer risk associated with abortion - the "independent link," which would mean that abortion leaves women with more cancer vulnerable lobules than they had before they became pregnant.  No scientist has challenged or refuted the biological reasons for an independent link.   

Scientists continue to debate only one breast cancer risk associated with abortion - the "independent link," which would mean that abortion leaves women with more cancer vulnerable lobules than they had before they became pregnant.  No scientist has challenged or refuted the biological reasons for an independent link.   

The unborn child produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).  HCG and the hormone hPL (human placental lactogen) help mature the mother's breast lobules into cancer-resistant Type 4 lobules. HCG prompts the ovaries to make inhibin, a hormone that suppresses cancer.  

The unborn child produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).  HCG and the hormone hPL (human placental lactogen) help mature the mother's breast lobules into cancer-resistant Type 4 lobules. HCG prompts the ovaries to make inhibin, a hormone that suppresses cancer.  

Miscarriages

==Miscarriages==

Most miscarriages don't raise breast cancer risk.  Most miscarriages are first trimester miscarriages.  These tend to be abnormal pregnancies, and the hormone level is insufficient to maintain pregnancy.   

Most miscarriages don't raise breast cancer risk.  Most miscarriages are first trimester miscarriages.  These tend to be abnormal pregnancies, and the hormone level is insufficient to maintain pregnancy.   

Premature Birth

==Premature Birth==

Research shows that women who have premature deliveries before 32 weeks of pregnancy more than double their breast cancer risk. <ref>Melbye M, et al. Preterm delivery and risk of breast cancer. Bri J Cancer 1999;80:609-13.</ref><ref>Hsieh C-c, Wuu J, Lambe M, Trichopoulos D, et al Delivery of premature newborns and maternal breast-cancer risk. Lancet 1999;353-1239.</ref><ref>Vatten LJ, et al. Pregnancy related protection against breast cancer depends on length of gestation. Br J Cancer 2002;87:289-90.

Research shows that women who have premature deliveries before 32 weeks of pregnancy more than double their breast cancer risk. <ref>Melbye M, et al. Preterm delivery and risk of breast cancer. Bri J Cancer 1999;80:609-13.</ref><ref>Hsieh C-c, Wuu J, Lambe M, Trichopoulos D, et al Delivery of premature newborns and maternal breast-cancer risk. Lancet 1999;353-1239.</ref><ref>Vatten LJ, et al. Pregnancy related protection against breast cancer depends on length of gestation. Br J Cancer 2002;87:289-90.

The World Health Organization listed combined (estrogen plus progestin) oral contraceptives and combined hormone replacement therapy as "Group 1 carcinogens" in July 2005. <ref>Cogliano V, Grosse Y, Baan R, Secretan B, El Ghissassi F. Carcinogenicity of combined oestrogen-progestagen contraceptives and menopausal treatment. Lancet Oncology 2005;6:552-553.</ref><ref>Press Release No. 167, "IARC Monographs Programme Finds Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Contraceptives (the "pill") and Menopausal Therapy Are Carcinogenic to Humans," World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, July 29, 2005. See [http://www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr167a.html].</ref> These findings provide additional biological support for an abortion-breast cancer link because the biological basis for all three breast cancer risks is the same.

The World Health Organization listed combined (estrogen plus progestin) oral contraceptives and combined hormone replacement therapy as "Group 1 carcinogens" in July 2005. <ref>Cogliano V, Grosse Y, Baan R, Secretan B, El Ghissassi F. Carcinogenicity of combined oestrogen-progestagen contraceptives and menopausal treatment. Lancet Oncology 2005;6:552-553.</ref><ref>Press Release No. 167, "IARC Monographs Programme Finds Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Contraceptives (the "pill") and Menopausal Therapy Are Carcinogenic to Humans," World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, July 29, 2005. See [http://www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr167a.html].</ref> These findings provide additional biological support for an abortion-breast cancer link because the biological basis for all three breast cancer risks is the same.

Epidemiological Research

==Epidemiological Research==

Two reviews support an independent link between abortion and increased breast cancer risk. <ref>Brind J, Chinchilli, VM, Severs WB, Summy-Long J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 1996;50:481-496.</ref><ref>Brind J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: A critical review of recent studies based on prospective data. J Am Phys Surg Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter 2005) 105-110. Available [http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf here].</ref>  A review of 10 studies that are being widely used to deny a link between abortion and increased breast cancer risk was published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons in 2005.  It demonstrated that the ten studies "embody many serious weaknesses and flaws..." and they "do not invalidate the large body of previously published studies that establish induced abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer."<ref>Brind J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: A critical review of recent studies based on prospective data. J Am Phys Surg Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter 2005) 105-110. Available [http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf here].</ref>

Two reviews support an independent link between abortion and increased breast cancer risk. <ref>Brind J, Chinchilli, VM, Severs WB, Summy-Long J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 1996;50:481-496.</ref><ref>Brind J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: A critical review of recent studies based on prospective data. J Am Phys Surg Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter 2005) 105-110. Available [http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf here].</ref>  A review of 10 studies that are being widely used to deny a link between abortion and increased breast cancer risk was published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons in 2005.  It demonstrated that the ten studies "embody many serious weaknesses and flaws..." and they "do not invalidate the large body of previously published studies that establish induced abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer."<ref>Brind J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: A critical review of recent studies based on prospective data. J Am Phys Surg Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter 2005) 105-110. Available [http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf here].</ref>

Other investigators - Edward Furton, Ph.D., editor of the journal ''Ethics and Medics'', and R. L. Walley, Executive Director and Honourary Research Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MaterCare International - argue that "shoddy research" is being conducted by scientists who strongly favor abortion. [Furton E. Editorial. The corruption of science by ideology. Ethics and Medics (Dec. 2004) Vol. 29, No. 11, p. 1-2.  Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/E+MDec2004-EFurtonarticle.PDF]  [Personal  e-mail message from R. L. Walley. FRCSC., FRCOG., MPH sent to Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/press_releases/051205quote/index.htm]

Other investigators - Edward Furton, Ph.D., editor of the journal ''Ethics and Medics'', and R. L. Walley, Executive Director and Honourary Research Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MaterCare International - argue that "shoddy research" is being conducted by scientists who strongly favor abortion. [Furton E. Editorial. The corruption of science by ideology. Ethics and Medics (Dec. 2004) Vol. 29, No. 11, p. 1-2.  Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/E+MDec2004-EFurtonarticle.PDF]  [Personal  e-mail message from R. L. Walley. FRCSC., FRCOG., MPH sent to Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/press_releases/051205quote/index.htm]

Eight Medical Groups Recognize the Independent Link

==Eight Medical Groups Recognize the Independent Link==

Eight medical groups recognize the independent link between abortion and breast cancer. [http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/medicalgroups/index.htm]  Another group, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, has called on doctors to inform women about this "highly plausible" relationship.  

Eight medical groups recognize the independent link between abortion and breast cancer. [http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/medicalgroups/index.htm]  Another group, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, has called on doctors to inform women about this "highly plausible" relationship.  

Legal Issues

==Legal Issues==

Andrew Schlafly, general counsel for that medical group, wrote an article in 2005 for its journal warning doctors that three women (two Americans, one Australian) successfully sued their abortion providers for neglecting to disclose the risks of breast cancer and emotional harm, although none of the women had developed the disease. [Schlafly A. Legal implications of a link between abortion and breast cancer. J Am Phys Surgeons 2005;10:11-14. Available at: http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/aschlafly.pdf]

Andrew Schlafly, general counsel for that medical group, wrote an article in 2005 for its journal warning doctors that three women (two Americans, one Australian) successfully sued their abortion providers for neglecting to disclose the risks of breast cancer and emotional harm, although none of the women had developed the disease. [Schlafly A. Legal implications of a link between abortion and breast cancer. J Am Phys Surgeons 2005;10:11-14. Available at: http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/aschlafly.pdf]

Schlafly has invited post-abortive women (with or without breast cancer) to send their legal questions to him at aschlafly@aol.com (with "abortion" in the subject line). [Schlafly A. "Had an abortion? Call an attorney," Celebrate Life, September/October 2005. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/Schlafly0510.pdf]

Schlafly has invited post-abortive women (with or without breast cancer) to send their legal questions to him at aschlafly@aol.com (with "abortion" in the subject line). [Schlafly A. "Had an abortion? Call an attorney," Celebrate Life, September/October 2005. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/Schlafly0510.pdf]

'''Medical Elite Privately Say Abortion Causes Breast Cancer, but It's 'Too Political' to Discuss Publicly'''

==Medical Elite Privately Say Abortion Causes Breast Cancer, but It's 'Too Political' to Discuss Publicly==

In a lawsuit filed against Planned Parenthood Federation of American in California Superior Court for falsely advertising the alleged safety of abortion, Angela Lanfranchi, M.D., a New Jersey breast surgeon, declared under oath that members of the nation's medical elite are aware that abortion causes breast cancer. However, they refuse to say so publicly because it is ‘too political.' She said to the court:

In a lawsuit filed against Planned Parenthood Federation of American in California Superior Court for falsely advertising the alleged safety of abortion, Angela Lanfranchi, M.D., a New Jersey breast surgeon, declared under oath that members of the nation's medical elite are aware that abortion causes breast cancer. However, they refuse to say so publicly because it is ‘too political.' She said to the court: