Posted on 11/13/2004 2:14:00 PM PST by Coleus
Breast Cancer Walkers Uninformed about ABC Link
Breast Cancer Walkers Uninformed about ABC Link 10/25/2004
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and anti-cancer organizations are absorbed in sponsoring cancer walks, which involve hundreds . . .
"While he was saying this a woman from the crowd called out, ‘Blest is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!'" (Luke 1:27)
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and anti-cancer organizations are absorbed in sponsoring cancer walks, which involve hundreds of thousands of participants in numerous cities walking to find a breast cancer cure. Corporations are eager to cash in on the public relations value these walks afford. The walks themselves raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the sponsoring organizations.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation holds at least 100 national races per year, which include more than one million participants. Two years ago, this foundation raised $83 million from its Race for a Cure efforts. However, according to Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, women are beginning to ask anticancer organizations like the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, "Why aren't women being told about the abortion-breast cancer (ABC) link? They're troubled that women are being denied life-saving information by anti-cancer groups, even though there is more evidence available to support abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer than for any acknowledged risk factor."
Furthermore, Mrs. Malec asserts, "Today's abortion customer is more likely to be tomorrow's cancer walker. If women's lives mattered, then cancer walk businesses would have focused on disease prevention and denounced abortion and Planned Parenthood two or three decades ago."
How does the ABC link work? Abortion interrupts the natural process of breast development, leaving the breast with more cells that can become cancerous. The extra estrogen of pregnancy causes cells to proliferate. Third trimester hormones of a full-term pregnancy turn cells into milk-producing cells and turn off their growth (and cancer-forming) potential. An abortion performed during the first trimester of a first pregnancy will cause an abrupt interruption of cell distinction, which may result in a subsequent increase in the risk of cancerous growth in these breast tissue cells.
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute says breast cancer rates have risen suddenly—more than 40 percent since abortion was legalized in 1973. This rise has occurred exclusively among the women of the Roe v. Wade generation, not among older women. In 1973, the lifetime risk for the average American woman developing breast cancer was one in 12. Now it is one in eight. Still, however, Breast Cancer Foundation Web sites claim that there is no relationship between abortion and breast cancer. Scientists are very reluctant to recognize the ABC link if the organizations that give them grants are administered by pro-abortionists.
On the other side, the National Physicians Center for Family Resources, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Catholic Medical Association all claim a great deal of biological and epidemiological evidence of a causal relationship between abortion and breast cancer. A breast cancer surgeon with the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Angela Lanfranchi, M.D., F.A.C.S., says that the six criteria used by scientists to determine a causal relationship have been fulfilled.
Women have a right to know. Inquiring women have been aroused to this scientific information blackout. Motivated to save women's lives, countless women are now working hard to bring an awareness of the ABC link to other women. Concerned cancer walks attendees are now carrying signs and passing out leaflets asking the question, "Why aren't women being told about the ABC link?"
According to LifeNews.com, two women who had been affected by breast cancer took information about the link between abortion and the deadly disease to participants in the Chicago-area "Race for the Cure," sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The two women wanted race participants to know that research as far back as 1957 shows the link between induced abortion and breast cancer. They held a colorful banner that proclaimed, "Abortion is a cause of breast cancer. Why aren't women being told?" There were some who objected to the women's banner, but they told those who objected that women have a right to know that there is an increased risk of contracting breast cancer associated with an abortion. Carrying a pregnancy to term reduces the long-term risk, especially for teenagers.
Before I began to write this article, I confess I was not informed of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's association with Planned Parenthood. Checking Web sites, I was confronted with data showing Komen made donations to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country.
Recently, a medical research analyst for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation resigned. Eve Sanchez Silver, when confronted with data showing Komen made donations to Planned Parenthood, said, "The Foundation has done so much for so many women through its programs and research grants, but this revelation about Planned Parenthood and Komen indicates a well thought-out funding strategy." In 2003, Komen awarded 21 grants to Planned Parenthood chapters, totaling more than $475,000. Although the grants given by Komen to Planned Parenthood are allegedly intended for breast cancer screening, there is no assurance that the funds will be used exclusively for this purpose. Moreover, there are many worthy medical facilities that do not perform abortions and can provide breast cancer screening for women and who could use the money. Medical centers that do not perform abortions are not fueling the breast cancer rates.
Eve Sanchez Silver says that women deserve to know the recent research showing a link exists and that women who have induced abortions are at greater risk for contracting breast cancer than women who carry the pregnancy to term (LifeNews.com, 9-29-04). Silver hopes her resignation will prompt Komen to reexamine its funding and research policies.
Karen Malec applauded Eve Sanchez Silver's courage. Malec's Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer has frequently highlighted Komen's refusal to acknowledge the abortion-breast cancer link and their funding of Planned Parenthood.
In May, Joan Archer, a breast cancer patient, returned a wig she had received from the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Davenport, Iowa. Ms. Archer cited Komen's denial of the abortion-breast cancer (ABC) link and Komen's financial support of Planned Parenthood as reasons for returning the wig.
When it is understood that the Komen Foundation ignores the ABC evidence and denies a link between abortion and breast cancer and continues to fund Planned Parenthood, the slogan, "Race for the Cure" is meaningless. Until the ABC link is recognized, the promise of a cure will remain illusionary.
If you would like to help dispense information about the abortion/breast cancer link or wish to offer financial assistance, please contact:
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
P.O. Box 957133
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195-3051
or on line at www.abortionbreastcancer.com
"Cancer Groups, Planned Parenthood Team Up Against Abortion-Breast Cancer Link"
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer Press Releases
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ~ Indianapolis ...
SUSAN G. KOMEN FOUNDATION: PUTTING IDEOLOGY AHEAD OF WOMEN’S LIVES
PRESS RELEASE: Latina Komen Advisor Resigns
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Planned Parenthood affiliates in New Mexico
NYACK HOSPITAL RECEIVES GRANT FROM SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
The Rockland County Breast Partnership represents a collaboration of Nyack Hospital’s Women’s Wellness and Diagnostic Center, The American Cancer Society, The Rockland County Department of Health, Good Samaritan Hospital, Planned Parenthood, and multi-specialty medical providers. The priority population for breast cancer screening includes women age 40 and older who are living at or below 250 percent of the Federal poverty level, women who have no health insurance or whose insurance does not adequately cover screening or diagnostic services, and ethnic and racial minority groups who are medically under-served because they live in isolated rural communities.
Georgia Right to Life Changes Policy on Candidate Endorsements
Life Decisions International Scores Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – In a statement released on July 22, Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LDI) issued the following statement:
“Planned Parenthood is the world’s leading pro-abortion empire.” “Giving money to Planned Parenthood legitimizes the abortion-committing group. It is impossible to separate Planned Parenthood’s less controversial practices from its killing business.”
“In its 2000-2002 STEP Reports of Grants (released in November 2001), it is noted that the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation supported several Planned Parenthood affiliates located in Glenwood Springs, CO; Washington, IA; Boise, ID; Waco, TX; New Haven, CT; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; El Paso, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Bellingham, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; West Palm Beach, FL; and Casper, WY.”
Mr. Scott urged the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to give funds for research, education, treatment and screening to groups that do not have “deadly baggage.”
Supreme Court Won't Hear Abortion-Breast Cancer Link Lawsuit Women Filed
American Life League presents STOPP International Mentions Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Prevention Institute
Corporate Sponsors of the Komen Foundation, write them and let them know that you do not support foundations who donate money to pro-abortion, pro-breast cancer providers.
National Race Sponsors of the Komen Foundation, Corporate Partner
Million Dollar of the Komen Foundation
Events of the Komen Foundation
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
States dispute abortion studies
Brochures warn of refuted cancer link.
Published Friday, November 12, 2004
WASHINGTON (AP) - In several states, women considering abortion are given government-issued brochures warning that the procedure could increase their chance of developing breast cancer, despite scientific findings to the contrary.
More than a year ago, a panel of scientists convened by the National Cancer Institute reviewed available data and concluded there is no link. A scientific review in the Lancet, a British medical journal, came to the same conclusion, questioning the methodology in studies that suggested a link.
The cancer information is distributed to women during mandatory waiting periods before abortions. In some cases, the information is on the states’ Web sites.
"We’re going to continue to educate the public about this," said Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, an anti-abortion group. She dismissed the National Cancer Institute’s findings as politically motivated and maintained that the link has been scientifically proven.
The effort to write the issue into state law began in the mid-1990s, when a few studies suggested women who had abortions or miscarriages might be more likely to develop breast cancer. The warnings are now required in Texas and Mississippi, and health officials in Kansas and Louisiana voluntarily issue them.
In Mississippi, women who want abortions must sign a form indicating they’ve been told there is a "medical risk" of breast cancer. In other states, brochures say there is a link or that evidence is mixed.
Minnesota law requires the health department to include this information on its Web site, but the department backed down after an outcry from the state’s medical community. Montana law also mandated the warning, but the state Supreme Court struck it down.
The brochures still in circulation tell women the issue "needs further study."
"They can do further research on their own and determine which of those studies they should put most attention on," said Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. "We’re just trying to provide all the information it’s possible to provide."
In Louisiana there will be changes, said Bob Johannessen, spokesman for the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals. He said the department’s new director did not know the state pamphlet included such information until contacted this week by The Associated Press.
"If there is scientific evidence, and it certainly appears there now is, we would certainly make the necessary changes in that brochure," Johannessen said Tuesday.
The brochure, he said, is a reflection of the "very, very strong pro-family, pro-life leaning" of Louisiana.
"Nonetheless, it’s incumbent on us as the health agency to make sure any information is factually correct," he said. "We don’t want to be misleading women who are making this important choice."
A Democrat, Kathleen Blanco, was elected Louisiana governor last year, replacing a Republican.
The issue continues to be debated in state legislatures, with bills considered this year in Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
On the federal level, several members of Congress complained last year after the NCI Web site included material suggesting a link between breast cancer and abortion or miscarriage. An expert panel that was asked to review the data reported in March 2003 that "well established" evidence shows no link.
Among the studies cited by the NCI expert panel was Danish research that used computerized medical records to compare women who had undergone abortions with that country’s cancer registry and found no higher cancer rate.
"Having an abortion or miscarriage does not increase a woman’s subsequent risk of developing breast cancer," the NCI site now says.
Those findings were affirmed this year by an article in the Lancet, which reviewed 53 studies. Lancet found that studies that purported a link had flawed methodologies.
Still, anti-abortion activists are unconvinced.
Joel Brind, a biochemist at Baruch College in New York who advises the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, noted that a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer go down if she gives birth at a relatively young age. He reasons that those who opt for abortion are giving up a chance of reducing their breast cancer risk.
Therefore, he says, abortion increases the risk of cancer.
He dismisses the findings of the National Cancer Institute, calling it a "political exercise, a charade if you will."
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
States Aid Abortion-Cancer Myth
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2004
(AP) Women seeking abortions in Mississippi must first sign a form indicating they've been told abortion can increase their risk of breast cancer. They aren't told that scientific reviews have concluded there is no such risk.
Similar information suggesting a cancer link is given to women considering abortion in Texas, Louisiana and Kansas, and legislation to require such notification has been introduced in 14 other states.
Abortion opponents, who are pushing these measures, say they are simply giving women information to consider. But abortion rights supporters see it much differently.
"In my experience, this inaccurate information is going to dissuade few women from going ahead and having the abortion," said Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "What it does do is put a false guilt trip and fear trip on that woman."
More than a year ago, a panel of scientists convened by the National Cancer Institute reviewed available data and concluded there is no link. A scientific review in the Lancet, a British medical journal, came to the same conclusion, questioning the methodology in a few studies that have suggested a link.
Still, information suggesting a link is being given to women to read during mandatory waiting periods before abortions. In some cases, the information is on the states' Web sites.
"We're going to continue to educate the public about this," said Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, an anti-abortion group.
The effort to write the issue into state law began in the mid-1990s, when a few studies suggested women who had abortions or miscarriages might be more likely to develop breast cancer. The warnings are now required in Texas and Mississippi, and health officials in Kansas and Louisiana issue them voluntarily.
Minnesota law requires its health department to include this information on its Web site, but the department backed down after an outcry from the state's medical community. Montana law also mandated the warning, but the state Supreme Court struck it down.
The brochures still in circulation tell women the issue "needs further study."
"They can do further research on their own and determine which of those studies they should put most attention on," said Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. "We're just trying to provide all the information it's possible to provide."
Louisiana — which elected a Democratic governor last year, replacing a Republican — is going to change its official literature that mentions the cancer link, said Bob Johannessen, spokesman for the state's Department of Health and Hospitals. He said the department's new director did not know the state pamphlet included such information until contacted this week by The Associated Press.
"If there is scientific evidence, and it certainly appears there now is, we would certainly make the necessary changes in that brochure," he said Tuesday.
The brochure, he said, is a reflection of the "very, very strong pro-family, pro-life leaning" of Louisiana.
"Nonetheless, it's incumbent on us as the health agency to make sure any information is factually correct," he said. "We don't want to be misleading women who are making this important choice."
The issue continues to be debated in state legislatures, with bills considered this year in Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
On the federal level, several members of Congress complained last year after the NCI Web site included material suggesting a link between breast cancer and abortion or miscarriage. An expert panel that was asked to review the data reported in March 2003 that "well established" evidence shows no link.
Among the studies cited by the NCI expert panel was Danish research that used computerized medical records to compare women who had undergone abortions with that country's cancer registry and found no higher cancer rate.
"The virtually complete consensus was that the studies that purported to show a link were methodologically flawed," said Dr. Martin Abeloff, director of the Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. Those studies that showed no link, he said, were almost all well done.
Still, anti-abortion activists are unconvinced.
Joel Brind, a biochemist at Baruch College in New York who advises the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, noted that a woman's chances of getting breast cancer go down if she gives birth at a relatively young age. He reasons that those who opt for abortion are giving up a chance of reducing their breast cancer risk.
Therefore, he says, abortion increases the risk of cancer.
He participated in the NCI debate — filing a minority report — and dismisses the panel's findings. "It was basically a political exercise," he said, "a charade if you will."
By Laura Meckler
Sick just begins to define the soul of those who do so.
Pro-life should stand on its own merits (or not) without the hateful intentions of those you reference.
I couldn't agree more.
The ABC link is so difficult to establish because almost any studies are prevented. My wife went for a mamogram recently. They ask all sorts of medical history quesitons. Abot STDs, miscarriages, periods, etc. But "they" won't ask about prior abortions. The pro-abortion crowd has done a damn almost-perfect job of insuring that women do not know about any ABC link.
Unclear because most research done has PC connections? How about some simple, albeit anecdotal evidence? Arrange to meet half a dozen breast cancer victims (or a dozen or score, or more). Sit down with them in confidence, and in candor ask them if they had an abortion. Some women are very reluctant to confess such a bad choice, but many will let the revelation come forth.
So far, my questioning has been almost 100% prior abortion. "Almost" is based on the one woman who had four miscarriages.
Is this proof? Nope. But it takes the ABC link out of the Bull Shei$$e file for me.
Great post - please forward this to all of your friends!
Is Planned Parenthood doing research on breast cancer? Why then, is the money that people give to the Komen Foundation, thinking it's going to breast cancer research going somewhere else?
Dead women walking.
Thanks for posting this. People at my work are sending emails out to give to this organization and sponsor them.
Everyone was shocked when I told them. Some of them didn't believe me until they did a simple Google search. I made a WHOLE lot of converts in Tampa this week.
Thanks for the thread.
Although the grants given by Komen to Planned Parenthood are allegedly intended for breast cancer screening, there is no assurance that the funds will be used exclusively for this purpose.
Even the hit peice on Komen admits that grants are for breast cancer screening and not abortions.
Your editing of the quote was very dishonest and you should be ashamed.
If Prolifers have to resort to DU tactics then they need to rethink their principles.
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