Contact: Karen Malec, Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, 847-421-4000

MEDIA ADVISORY, June 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer notes a study in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, reporting that Sri Lankan women with abortions more than tripled their breast cancer risk  (3.42 odds ratio). Abortion was the most significant factor in the study.  Researchers found a significantly reduced risk associated with prolonged duration of breastfeeding and a nearly tripled increased risk from exposure to passive smoking. The study entitled, "Prolonged breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer in Sri Lankan women: A case-control study," was led by Malintha De Silva and colleagues from the University of Colombo. [1]

Among women who breastfed between 12-23 months, researchers found a 66.3% risk reduction in comparison to those who had never breastfed and those who had breastfed between 0 and 11 months. The risk reduction climbed to 87.4% for the 24-35 months group and 94% for the 36-47 months group.

"Obviously, women who abort forfeit the protective effect of breastfeeding," said Karen Malec, president of the Coalition. "The loss of that protective effect is incurred in addition to the effect of abortion leaving the breasts with more places for cancers to start.

"According to the researchers, 'mammography is not widely available for routine screening' in Sri Lanka. Therefore, health professionals must emphasize disease prevention. It is criminal that the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) has covered up this risk for over a half century. Uncle Sam is abusing women by concealing the risk."

The Sri Lankan study is the fourth epidemiological study in fourteen months to report an abortion-breast cancer link, including studies from the U.S., China and Turkey. [2-4] Louise Brinton, a NCI branch chief, served as co-author in the U.S. study in which she and her colleagues admitted that "...induced abortion and oral contraceptive use were associated with increased risk of breast cancer." The authors cited a statistically significant 40% increased risk. [4]

"It's becoming increasingly difficult for the NCI to keep its fingers and toes in the dike," said Malec, "especially since many researchers in other parts of the world do not depend on the agency for grants."

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 available at: www.abortionbreastcancer.com/press_releases/100622/index.htm