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Confusion about Link Between Abortions and Breast Cancer

From: C-upi@clari.net (UPI)
Subject: Link challenged between abortion, cancer
Organization: Copyright 1996 by United Press International
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 11:41:06 PDT
UPI Science News

The research results were released at a press conference by the report's co-authors at Hershey Medical Center. The report was published by the British Medical Association's Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Other scientists, however, challenged both the methods and conclusions of the researchers.

``There is mistake after mistake (in the report),'' said Marilie Gammon of Columbia University School of Public Health in New York.

The researchers analyzed 23 studies that investigated nearly 26,000 women with breast cancer and nearly 35,000 without the disease. They found a link between abortions and breast cancer in 18 of the 23 studies, which increased the average woman's risk from 12 in 100 to about 16 in 100.

But some of the 23 studies are ``obviously poorly done, with a lot of bias,'' said Gammon. ``Yet those studies are given the same weight. Why should we believe people who are doing poor science?''

Additionally, Gammon said that an increase from 12 to 16 per 100 women over their lifetime is still low, especially when a single answer can influence the conclusion of a small study, and when reporting may or may not be accurate in the first place.

The researchers found no increased risk among women who had experienced spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages.