04/20/2006

Glamour Magazine Challenged to a Debate on Abortion-Cancer Link

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 20 -- The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer challenges Glamour Magazine's experts to a debate on the abortion- breast cancer (ABC) link. Glamour has attempted to erase the link from the public mind twice in less than a year. [1,2]

Why doesn't Glamour want women to know that:

1. Experts agree on one risk of abortion - that childbearing matures breast tissue into cancer- resistant tissue, but abortion deprives women of this opportunity; therefore, the woman who aborts has a higher risk than the woman who has a baby; [3]

2. Experts debate whether abortion leaves women with an increase in cancer vulnerable breast tissue (the independent link);

3. Eight medical groups recognize an independent link between abortion and cancer; [4]

4. The World Health Organization labeled combined oral contraceptives (estrogen plus progestogen) and combined hormone replacement therapy as "Group 1" carcinogens - findings that support an independent ABC link. [5]

5. Sixty significant studies link abortion with premature birth in later pregnancies; premature birth before 32 weeks gestation raises the risk of breast cancer for the mother and cerebral palsy for prematurely born children; [6]

"Follow the money," said Karen Malec, president of the coalition. "Glamour uses sex to sell its product. What's most appalling about these widespread efforts to propagandize the public is the stone-cold disregard for women's health.

"Women shouldn't be deceived by those who stand to profit from legalized abortion," continued Malec. "Consider what the tobacco industry did to protect its bottom line. Fearing massive product liability lawsuits, its lawyers marshaled a stable of journalists, doctors and scientists who represented smoking as 'safe' and glamorous, especially for the 'liberated' woman." [7]

There has never been a debate on the ABC link because our opponents know they would lose. Breast cancer surgeon Angela Lanfranchi, MD wrote, "The normal discourse in medicine when there is controversy on a scientific issue is to present arguments for both sides in texts and debate at scientific meetings. There has not been normal discourse concerning the ABC link." [8]

The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is an international women's organization founded to protect the health and save the lives of women by educating and providing information on abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer.

References available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/press_releases/060420/index.htm