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The Most Avoidable Risk Factor for Breast Cancer
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by Marita F. Wasan
Breast cancer is the most common cancer disease and the leading cause of cancer among Filipino women in the Philippines today. It is a life-threatening disease and one that most women fear. Understandably so. In 2005 alone, 14,000 cases were reported, with 6,000 Filipino women believed to have died from the illness during that period.
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A person’s chances of getting breast cancer would be higher or lower, depending on several risk factors. The risk factors that most fact sheets and bulletins on breast cancer identify include family history, genetics, menstrual period that began before age 12 and ended after age 55, early and repeated exposure to relatively high doses of radiation, and long-term post-menopausal estrogen replacement. Surprisingly, and unfortunately, there is one risk factor that is most often omitted in the line-up – ABORTION.
A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer is related to hormone levels in the body. Breast cells normally grow and divide in response to the levels of certain hormones such as estrogen. In early pregnancy, levels of estrogen increase, leading to breast growth in preparation for lactation and breast-feeding. The only mechanism that matures a woman’s breast tissue into cancer-resistant tissue is a process called “differentiation.” This takes place during the third trimester of pregnancy. If this process is interrupted by an abortion – before full maturity in the third trimester – then more relatively immature, cancer-vulnerable cells could be left than there were prior to the pregnancy, resulting in a greater potential risk of breast cancer.
Since 1957, some epidemiological research studies have indicated a correlation between abortion and breast cancer. In 1996, Joel Brind, M.D., professor of Baruch College of New York and his colleagues at Pennsylvania State Medical College, conducted a meta-analysis of 23 such studies and found an overall 30% elevated risk among women choosing abortion after the first full-term pregnancy (FFTP), and a 50% elevated risk among women choosing abortion before FFTP. Likewise, Dr. Janet Daling of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reported in a 1994 study commissioned by the National Cancer Institute that “among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who have experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women … highest risks were observed when the abortion was done at ages younger than 18 years … or at least 30 years of age or older.”
Certainly, not all women who have breast cancer have had an abortion. Neither will all women who had an abortion get breast cancer. Induced abortion is only one of the risk factors for breast cancer. However, as can be noted, it is the most avoidable and preventable one. Thus, it is important that women are made aware of these studies to enable them to make informed choices about this health issue.
References:
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“Abortion-Breast Cancer Summary.” Accessed from Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer website, www.abortionbreastcancer.com, on 28 April 2008.
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“Did you know that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipino women today?” Fact Sheet No 01, Series of 2002. National Statistical Coordination Board. Accessed from website www.nscb.gove.ph on 9 May 2008.
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“Keeping Abreast with Breast Cancer.” Accessed from Department of Budget and Management website on 9 May 2008.
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“Can Having an Abortion Cause or Contribute to Breast Cancer?” Accessed from American Cancer Society website, www.cancer.org on 28 April, 2008.
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“Abortion-Breast Cancer Hypothesis.” Accessed from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion-breast_cancer_hypothesis on 28 April 2008.
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“Breast cancer has proven link to abortion, say medical groups and a bioethics journal.” Accessed from Pro-Life Philippines website, www.prolife.org on 9 May 2008.
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