American Cancer Society's accuracy on the abortion/breast cancer link

Every once in a while the question comes up when someone is considering donating to the American Cancer Society.  People want to know if the American Cancer Society is presenting accurate information on the link between abortion and breast cancer.

The short answer is: “No.”

Here is what the website of the American Cancer Society has to say about breast cancer risks.

They do list abortion as one of the risk factors for breast cancer.  However, it is under the heading “Uncertain risk factors” and comes directly after “Antiperspirants and bras.”  It says:

“Abortions: Several studies show that induced abortions do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Also, there is no evidence to show a direct link between miscarriages and breast cancer. For more detailed information, see our document, Can Having an Abortion Cause or Contribute to Breast Cancer? “

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_breast_cancer_5.asp?sitearea=

Issues with this summary:

· Although several studies show that induced abortions do not increase the risk of breast cancer, there are many more that do show an increased risk.

· Concerning: “no evidence ... between miscarriages and breast cancer”  -  of course there is no evidence.  Nobody ever said there was a link between miscarriage and breast cancer.  As a matter of fact, the information linking abortion and breast cancer suggests that there would not be a link between miscarriage and breast cancer.

Their more detailed document, for which they have the link, is more of the same, citing the studies that agree with them (even though many are not valid) or the ones that disagree but have significant problems, and failing to cite the ones that are quite solid.

Dr. Janet Daling is a breast cancer researcher who defines herself as pro-choice.  For some strange reason, the American Cancer Society doesn’t quote her.  When you read this quote you understand why.  She says:

"If politics gets involved in science, it will really hold back the progress we make.  I have three sisters with breast cancer, and I resent people messing with the scientific data to further their own agenda, be they pro-choice or pro-life.

I would have loved to have found no association between breast cancer and abortion, but our research is rock solid, and our data is accurate.  It's not a matter of believing.  It's a matter of what is."

So anyone who is concerned with ACS’s portrayal of the abortion link with breast cancer would want to check back now and then to see if it’s still listed under antiperspirants and bras.

RARTL Updated October, 2008