Can Abortions Be Linked To Breast Cancer?
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2000年8月16日
HAVING an abortion could increase the chance of developing breast cancer by as much as 30 per cent, according to a study.
A survey by Professor Joel Brind, of the City University in New York, which reviewed 28 studies into breast cancer in the United States, has shown a statistical association between a woman having an induced abortion and later developing the disease. The conclusion was that 24,500 cases of breast cancer in America were linked to terminations.
, 百拇医药
About a third of women have a pregnancy terminated before they are 45. These women should not be alarmed and should remember that the majority will not develop breast cancer. One of Professor Brind's findings is that there does not seem to be a similar increase in the likelihood of developing breast cancer after a spontaneous abortion - a miscarriage.
Different studies have suggested that between a third and a fifth of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This figure is very much higher than it was 20 or 30 years ago, when methods of diagnosing early pregnancy were not as efficient as they are now and advanced scanning techniques had not been introduced.
, 百拇医药
It is accepted that assessing a woman's hormonal status is probably the most important clue when determining their chances of developing breast cancer. There are many factors which may affect breast tissue and breast cells and the hormonal balance.
They include differences in diet, weight, menstrual hist-ory, breastfeeding habits, alcohol intake, the number of pregnancies, whether the woman takes HRT, and also the woman's family history.
, 百拇医药
Sudden changes in hormonal levels are an inevitable consequence of an abortion. These sudden changes and their effect on the breast cells could be an explanation for any increased incidence of breast cancer after an abortion.
If this is the explanation, then why do not equally sudden changes in hormone levels following a miscarriage - changes which are readily noticed by a woman after such an event - have a similar effect on the incidence of breast cancer? What can the difference in the long-term effect of these hormonal levels be when they are brought on by an abortion induced by nature, and one following the interference of a doctor?
, 百拇医药
As yet there is no evidence of a causative link between abortion and breast cancer, and none has been claimed by Professor Brind. There are a wide variety of differences between the lifestyle, personality and environment of the third of women who are likely to have an abortion and the two thirds who are less likely to have the operation. Can any of these differences be factors which increase the chances of developing breast cancer? Does the increased chance of the need for an abortion and an increased chance of developing breast cancer both stem from as yet undefined common factors?
, 百拇医药
Allan Templeton, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Aberdeen and chairman of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidlines committee, said yesterday he was deepy concerned that a single study had been given such unwarranted credence; there was another study from America showing no link. The evidence was at best inconclusive, and the weight of evidence pointed to no such link.
The present situation is well summarised by Professor James Drife of the Royal College of Obstetricians. He said: "Concerns have been raised about a possible link between breast cancer and abortion. There is inconclusive research in this area, but one analysis has indicated a possible risk."
, 百拇医药
This is not a very alarming statement. Breast cancer has a particular and understandable horror for women. In those countries where screening is adequate, the survival from breast cancer is more than 90 per cent. This level of screening is not the norm in the United Kingdom, except for certain privileged groups.
Although further research on the cause of breast cancer is essential, the immediate aim in the campaign against this disease will have to be to encourage its earlier diagnosis.
A survey by Professor Joel Brind, of the City University in New York, which reviewed 28 studies into breast cancer in the United States, has shown a statistical association between a woman having an induced abortion and later developing the disease. The conclusion was that 24,500 cases of breast cancer in America were linked to terminations.
, 百拇医药
About a third of women have a pregnancy terminated before they are 45. These women should not be alarmed and should remember that the majority will not develop breast cancer. One of Professor Brind's findings is that there does not seem to be a similar increase in the likelihood of developing breast cancer after a spontaneous abortion - a miscarriage.
Different studies have suggested that between a third and a fifth of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. This figure is very much higher than it was 20 or 30 years ago, when methods of diagnosing early pregnancy were not as efficient as they are now and advanced scanning techniques had not been introduced.
, 百拇医药
It is accepted that assessing a woman's hormonal status is probably the most important clue when determining their chances of developing breast cancer. There are many factors which may affect breast tissue and breast cells and the hormonal balance.
They include differences in diet, weight, menstrual hist-ory, breastfeeding habits, alcohol intake, the number of pregnancies, whether the woman takes HRT, and also the woman's family history.
, 百拇医药
Sudden changes in hormonal levels are an inevitable consequence of an abortion. These sudden changes and their effect on the breast cells could be an explanation for any increased incidence of breast cancer after an abortion.
If this is the explanation, then why do not equally sudden changes in hormone levels following a miscarriage - changes which are readily noticed by a woman after such an event - have a similar effect on the incidence of breast cancer? What can the difference in the long-term effect of these hormonal levels be when they are brought on by an abortion induced by nature, and one following the interference of a doctor?
, 百拇医药
As yet there is no evidence of a causative link between abortion and breast cancer, and none has been claimed by Professor Brind. There are a wide variety of differences between the lifestyle, personality and environment of the third of women who are likely to have an abortion and the two thirds who are less likely to have the operation. Can any of these differences be factors which increase the chances of developing breast cancer? Does the increased chance of the need for an abortion and an increased chance of developing breast cancer both stem from as yet undefined common factors?
, 百拇医药
Allan Templeton, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Aberdeen and chairman of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidlines committee, said yesterday he was deepy concerned that a single study had been given such unwarranted credence; there was another study from America showing no link. The evidence was at best inconclusive, and the weight of evidence pointed to no such link.
The present situation is well summarised by Professor James Drife of the Royal College of Obstetricians. He said: "Concerns have been raised about a possible link between breast cancer and abortion. There is inconclusive research in this area, but one analysis has indicated a possible risk."
, 百拇医药
This is not a very alarming statement. Breast cancer has a particular and understandable horror for women. In those countries where screening is adequate, the survival from breast cancer is more than 90 per cent. This level of screening is not the norm in the United Kingdom, except for certain privileged groups.
Although further research on the cause of breast cancer is essential, the immediate aim in the campaign against this disease will have to be to encourage its earlier diagnosis.
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, 百拇医药