Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
P.O. Box 957133, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
response@abortionbreastcancer.com
www.AbortionBreastCancer.com
1-877-803-0102

Press Release
Contact: Karen Malec
For Immediate Release
Date: May 3, 2005

Women's Group Denounces Breast Cancer Fundraising Scam

ACTION ITEM: Contact cancer fundraising businesses.

"What have cancer fundraising businesses done to reduce breast cancer rates during the last three decades?" asked Karen Malec, a 15-year cancer survivor and spokesperson for the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.

"Every year, sneakered women raise billions for cancer businesses that are more interested in research than disease prevention," said Malec.  "Breast cancer rates haven't declined.  They've increased."

More than 211,000 cases of invasive breast cancer and 59,000 cases of in situ breast cancer are expected this year.  One in 7.5 American women develops the disease in her lifetime. In 1970, one in 12 women developed the disease.

"Here is an easy way to recognize that cancer businesses are lying when they deny an abortion-breast cancer link.  Ask these businesses three questions."

(1) The cancer establishment recognizes that an early first full term pregnancy protects against breast cancer. Does the childless woman who chooses abortion delay her first full term pregnancy?

(2) Does the woman who aborts before a first full term pregnancy, therefore, have a greater breast cancer risk than does the woman who carries her pregnancy to term (all things being equal)?

( 3) Does abortion contribute to the nation's breast cancer rates?

"The only logical answer to each question is 'yes,'" said Malec.  "If they say 'no,' they'll look foolish because the protective effect of early childbearing is well established.  They might evade the question by citing studies that have nothing to do with this effect.  They might attempt to confuse you by citing studies addressing a second way that abortion raises risk - one that scientists debate called 'the independent link'."

Only a third trimester process in pregnancy matures a woman's breast tissue into cancer-resistant tissue. [1,2,3,4] An early first full term pregnancy before age 24 is the most important strategy a woman can adopt to prevent breast cancer. [5,6]

Click here to find contact information for cancer businesses

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.

References:

1. Russo J, Tay TK, Russo IH. Differentiation of the mammary gland and susceptibility to carcinogenesis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1982;2:5-73.

2. Russo J, Reina D, Frederick J, et al. Expression of phenotypical changes by human breast epithelial cells treated with carcinogens in vitro. Cancer Res 1988;48:2837-2857.

3. Russo J, Rivera R, Russo IH. Influence of Age and Parity on the Development of the Human Breast. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 1992;23:211-218.

4. Russo J, Russo IH. Toward a physiological approach to breast cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiol, Biomarkers Prev 1994;3:353-364.

5. MacMahon, B, Cole P, Lin TM, Lowe CR, Mirra AP, Ravnihar B, Salber EJ, Valaoras VG, Yuasa S. Age at First Birth and Breast Cancer Risk. Bull WHO 1970;43:209-221.

6. Trichopoulos D, Hsieh C, MacMahon B, et al. Age at any birth and breast cancer risk. Int J Cancer 1983;31:701-704.