Breast Cancer Info Drive should Abortion link
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10 June 2008
The Reader’s Advocate
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dear Sir/Madam:
In line with your news article “Breast cancer info drive kicks off” (PDI, 9 June 2008), we laud the community-based awareness campaign of Marikina City, led by Mayor Marides Fernando, the IcanServe Advocacy Group, and Pfizer, which aims to reduce the rising number of breast cancer cases nationwide. We hope that the awareness campaign will also mention that induced abortion, among others, is a risk factor for breast cancer.
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Studies have been made indicating an increased risk of breast cancer associated with induced abortion. Induced abortion interrupts the natural process of breast development, leaving the mother with more cancer-vulnerable cells than she had before she became pregnant.
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 induced 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.
Although induced abortion is only one of the risk factors for breast cancer. it is the most avoidable and preventable one. Thus, it is important that women are made aware of this to enable them to make informed choices about this health issue.
Sincerely,
Marita F. Wasan
Executive Director
Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Good Shepherd Compound, 1043 Aurora Blvd, Quezon City
References:
1) “Abortion-Breast Cancer Summary.” Accessed from Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer website, , on 28 April 2008
2) “Can Having an Abortion Cause or Contribute to Breast Cancer?” Accessed from American Cancer Society website, on 28 April, 2008.
3) “Abortion-Breast Cancer Hypothesis.” Accessed from Wikipedia. on 28 April 2008
4) “Breast cancer has proven link to abortion, say medical groups and a bioethics journal.” Accessed from Pro-Life Philippines website, on 9 May 2008.
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