Connection Recognized Between Abortion and Breast Cancer

Overwhelming evidence has been found connecting abortion and breast cancer, according to Britain's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG).

As a result of evidence in the 1996 "Comprehensive review and meta-analysis," by Dr. Joel Brind and colleagues at the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, the RCOG found the abortion-breast cancer connection credible and issued "Evidence-based Guidelines No. 7: The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion."

"The conflicting review by Brind has examined the same studies and concluded induced abortion is a significant, independent risk factor for breast cancer," according to the RCOG report. "The assessor concluded that both were carefully conducted reviews and that the Brind paper had no major methodological shortcomings and could not be disregarded."

Brind, director of the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and a member of the American Bioethics Advisory Commission, a division of American Life League, said he is encouraged RCOG has clearly acknowledged "the existence of valid evidence of the abortion-breast cancer connection."

"The RCOG represents the abortion practitioners themselves," said Brind. "This is the first time that any such group has clearly acknowledged the evidence of the abortion-breast cancer connection."

Recently, a lawsuit filed in Fargo, N.D., highlights the abortion-breast cancer connection. An employee of North Dakota Life League alleged a clinic broke North Dakota laws against false advertising when it gave the employee a deceptive brochure about abortion health risks.

In reference to claims that abortion increases a women's chance of developing breast cancer, the brochure reads, "None of these claims are supported by medical research or established medical organizations."

John Kindley, attorney for the plaintiff, is arguing research shows having an induced abortion increases the average women's risk of breast cancer by about half.