Associated Press
BOSTON — Massachusetts is joining other states in considering legislation that would require doctors to tell women they may be at greater risk for breast cancer if they have an abortion.
However, both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have concluded that any relationship between abortion and breast cancer is unproven.
Anti-abortion groups support the bills, which they say are intended to provide women with valuable health information, while abortion-rights advocates say the warning is a scare tactic designed to pressure women to abandon abortions.
"It’s important for women to know what abortion is and what it can do to them," said Maryclare Flynn, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. "It’s not an easy procedure. They need to know all the facts."
Flynn and other supporters of "women’s right to know" legislation say cells produced during pregnancy can turn cancerous if the pregnancy is ended.
Abortion-rights activists say the bills are assaults on the right to abortion.
"Attempts to link abortion to breast cancer are part of a broader campaign by those who oppose abortion to stigmatize abortion," said Melissa Kogut, executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Abortions Rights Action League.
Some studies investigating possible links have shown a small increase in risk, while others have not shown any risk associated with either induced or spontaneous abortions.
The most common risk factor for breast cancer is age, according to the National Cancer Institute. Other factors include a family history of breast cancer, late age at menopause, late age at the time of the first full-term birth of a child, and certain breast conditions.
Lawmakers in at least 16 states are considering similar bills, according to the National Abortion Rights Action League, which opposes the legislation. Mississippi is the only state with a law in effect, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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