No, that is not what I am referring to. I am referring to testimony on the floor of various state legislative chambers where lobbyists for the ACS have stated smoking CAUSES cervical cancer, not that it is a risk factor.
While I might argue, for the sake of an argument, that smoking is a statistically insignificant risk factor for cervical cancer, I am not going to stand by idly when someone claims that smoking is a major cause of cervical cancer when all evidence is to the contrary.
Again, smoking is an independent risk factor for cervical cancer.
I haven't said otherwise, and I wouldn't. But that is not what is being promoted by the anti-tobacco industry, including the ACS, ALA, AHA, etc., let alone various state public health divisions. No doubt about it that on their websites and in their press releases they use the term "risk factor" but they do so in such a way as to give the general public the impression of it being a major risk or cause.
Once again, a great PR/Lobbying job. They've convinced people that a generally sexually transmitted disease which often causes a certain kind of cancer is caused by smoking.
Look, I am in no way questioning you or the work you do personally, as I realize you are far more knowledgeable and experienced than I am in risk/causes. What I am questioning and criticizing is the PR/Lobbying tactics of certain companies, industries, and organizations that stand to make lots of money with the utilization of false or misleading information. That's where I have knowledge and experience.
I don't want to accuse you of defending such, but you sure seem to be leaning in that direction.
I'm just trying to correct the enormous amount of misinformation I see here. Heck, I make a living (partially) looking at abnormal Pap smears. The more I look at the more money I make. It's in my financial interest for no one to be vaccinated, that way the abnormal Paps will keep coming to me. I just am tired of diagnosing cervical cancer and seeing women die of this preventable disease.