Dear Friends:

The American Cancer Society is digging its own grave.

On Monday, October 29, we reported that the National Catholic Register published an article condemning the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute for "keeping women in the dark about two risk factors for breast cancer: induced abortion and hormonal contraception."  The author, Susan Wills of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, added, "The chief reason women are not being informed of these risks is not a lack of evidence. It is an epidemic of political correctness." [1]

On that same day, a letter from Clement Rose, MD, president of the Society's Illinois Division, appeared in the Chicago Tribune entitled, "No link between abortion and breast cancer."  Rose cited the U.S. National Cancer Institute's workshop and claimed that "The experts reviewed existing human and animal studies on the relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk," and one of their conclusions was that "Induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk." 

Wearing a feminist bias on his sleeve, Rose conveniently omitted the fact that the agency contradicted itself by denying the link between abortion and increased risk, but acknowledging that delaying a first full term pregnancy is an accepted risk factor for the disease - a risk that nulliparous (without children) women necessarily experience when they have abortions.

One only has to visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute's (NCI) website and view its 3-day video to recognize that the workshop was a farce.  Apparently, the Society has no problem with that. Contrary to the claims made by its leader, Andrew von Eschenbach, NCI officials made no effort to conduct a comprehensive review of the research.  In fact, they did not invite or welcome a single researcher whose research showed an increase in risk to present that viewpoint.

Yet, more and more people are beginning to wake up to the realization that the Society and other cancer groups have been dishonest about this risk.  On the same day that Rose's letter to the Chicago Tribune was published, The Washington Times quoted extensively from the National Catholic Register's article. [2]

Once its credibility is lost, how will the Society (and other cancer fundraising businesses) ever manage to regain it?

Sincerely,
Karen Malec
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer

References:

1. "Fully Aware Breast Cancer Organizations Promote Only 'Selective Awareness,'" By Susan E. Wills, National Catholic Register, October 28 - November 3, 2007 Issue. Available at:
http://ncregister.com/site/article/6407/

2. "PC Epidemic?" The Washington Times, October 29, 2007.  Available at:
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20071029/CULTURE/110290032

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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.

Tax-deductible, credit card donations can be made at http://www.AbortionBreastCancer.com. Donations can be mailed to: the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, P.O. Box 957133, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195. The IRS recognizes the coalition as a 501(c)3 organization.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
http://www.AbortionBreastCancer.com

Breast Cancer Prevention Institute
http://www.BCPInstitute.org

Polycarp Research Institute
http://www.polycarp.org