ABORTION:
What They Don’t Tell You

September 26, 2004


In 1973, it was deemed by the United States Supreme Court that it was unconstitutional to prevent physicians from providing abortions as a “health” service to women because it was believed that modern science made them “relatively safe”. Every federal, state, and local law regulating or restricting abortion was struck down.1

1.5 million abortions are performed in the US per year, making it the most common surgery in the nation.# Many studies have been conducted since this ruling regarding the physical complications of abortion and it’s effect on a woman’s short term and long-term health. National statistics show that 10% of women who have had induced abortions suffer from immediate complications. 2% of them, or 30,000 women, fall under the category of major. Immediate major complications include infection, excessive bleeding, embolism, ripping or perforation of the uterus, anesthesia complications, convulsions, hemorrhage, cervical injury, and endotoxic shock. And last but not least, death.2

But what about the long-term effects of abortion, the dangers that exist months, even years, after the abortion is performed? In the 30 plus years since abortion was made legal in the United States, a multitude of studies have shown distressing dangers. There have been a number of links between abortion and several cancers including breast, cervical, ovarian and liver. Due to uterine perforations and cervical lacerations, many women who’ve had induced abortions have difficult carrying future pregnancy’s to term and have trouble during labor. 23% of women who have chlamydia at the time of their elective abortions and 5% of those who do not develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) within 4 weeks. And all of these risks increase with multiple abortions, and for those obtaining abortions in later trimesters.# Another danger on the abortion forefront is the use of the FDA approved mifepristone, better known as RU-486, in conjunction with misoprostol.


THE DANGERS OF RU-486/MISOPROSTOL

What is RU-486? According to RU-486facts.org:

RU-486 is the name commonly used for an artificial steroid that blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to continue a pregnancy... When taken alone, RU-486 causes a complete abortion only about 60% of the time. A second drug, a prostaglandin, is given 48 hours later to increase its effectiveness. The prostaglandin causes uterine contractions to help expel the embryo. Misoprostol (brand name Cytotec) is the prostaglandin used with RU-486 in the U.S. 3

In August 2000 Michael Cullen, MD, Medical Director at Searle, the manufacturer of Cytotec, wrote a letter to the FDA. In it, Dr. Cullen reminded the FDA “Cytotec was not approved for the induction of labor or abortion.” He goes on to say: "Serious adverse events reported following off-label use of Cytotec in pregnant women include maternal or fetal death; uterine hyperstimulation, rupture or perforation requiring uterine surgical repair, hysterectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy; amniotic fluid embolism; severe vaginal bleeding, retained placenta, shock, fetal bradycardia and pelvic pain. He establishes that Searle cannot “provide complete risk information” since the drug was not intended to be used for abortion purposes.4

Despite this warning, on September 28, 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone, and the accompanying drug misoprostol, under an accelerated drug-approval process normally intended for drugs as treatments for life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.5 As of November 2003, at least four women have died from this combination, 13 required blood transfusions due to excessive blood loss, and in 5-8% of cases it caused severe complications.5 In US trials 99% of women who have used RU-486 have had at least one adverse effect ranging from abdominal pains, headaches, dizziness, viral infections, and uterine hemorrhaging, just to name a few. Of those, 23% were judged to be severe.6

These dangers are unknown by unsuspecting women due to the lack of requirements by the FDA. Unlike in France, where there is a required week after an initial visit before a woman is prescribed the pills, a return to the physicians office 48 hours later for misoprostol, and a follow up visit, the FDA only requires that a woman is “counseled” and sign forms, and that she is given medical phone numbers in case of complications.7 That is simply irresponsible, and unnecessarily dangerous.


THE ABORTION-BREAST CANCER LINK

28 out of 37 studies published worldwide, 13 out of 15 in the United States, report an increased risk in breast cancer among women with a history of induced abortions.8 A study funded by the US National Cancer Institute found induced abortion alone could increase the risk of breast cancer in women; for women with a family history of breast cancer that risk increased to 80%. In this study of 1800 women, family history of breast cancer in conjunction with an induced abortion before the age of 18 guaranteed the onset of breast cancer; 12 out of 12 women developed breast cancer before the age of 45.8

There are two indisputable factors for breast cancer. The first has to do with a woman’s exposure to estrogen and the second are the types of lobules, and their maturation, present in a woman’s breast. Immature Type 1 (prepubescent) and 2 (pubescent) lobules are where cancer cells are formed.9 These lobules are more susceptible to cancer by the presence of estrogen. When a woman carries a pregnancy to full term (32 weeks or more) these lobules mature to Type 3 (reproductive) and then Type 4 (lactation), which are resistant to carcinogens. This maturation protects a woman and lowers her risk of breast cancer.9

Within a few days of conception a woman’s estrogen level rises; by the end of the first trimester her levels have increased by 2000%. This, in turn, increases the amount of Type 1 and 2 lobules. Unless a pregnancy continues past 32 weeks, the increased number of immature lobules will not mature into Type 3 and 4.9

A study in 1970, widely accepted in the medical world, notes that an early first term pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer.8 This is because the earlier the lobules mature into Type 3 and 4, the less chance there is for Types 1 and 2 to become cancerous. Abortion affects this process in many ways. When a woman ends a pregnancy before the maturation of her breasts take place, she is left with an increased number of Type 1 and 2 lobules, which are in turn exposed to more estrogen through future menstrual cycles. In addition, the pregnancy itself increases the level of estrogen present in her body, making these lobules more susceptible to the formation of cancer cells.9

It is important that physicians inform a woman contemplating abortion about the risk factors in regard to breast cancer. First, she is removing the positive effects of a first full term pregnancy, which matures the lobules in the breast thus helping to prevent breast cancer in the future. Second, she is increasing her chances of cancer cells forming, possibly by 50-100% depending on her age and family history.

In conclusion, my research has shown that one of the biggest dangers facing women who have an elective abortion is her lack of knowledge. The government has very few requirements and regulations when it comes to informing women of the immediate and long-term dangers. While many clinics offering abortion services do counsel and inform, as well as suggest and promote follow up visits, they do so by their own conscience. Regulations insure the health and safety of those who are receiving surgery, in all manners of medicine. Why is abortion under separate rules? My research suggests that partisan politics and fear of anti-abortion legislation leading to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade clouds the minds of those who are elected to help and protect women. There is no excuse for sacrificing our health. Especially in cases like RU-486, where there are a lack of FDA regulations, or in the medical community, where many have turned a blind eye to the 28 studies that show a direct link between Abortion and Breast Cancer. Americans must stand up and demand equal treatment in ALL medical procedures, abortion included. Only then can abortion be deemed “relatively safe.”






REFERANCES


1. Reardon, D. (1990). Elliot Institute. The Aftereffects of Abortion. Retrieved on September 16, 2004 from www.afterabortion.org/complic.html

2. Reardon, D. (1997). Elliot Institute A LIST OF MAJOR PHYSICAL SEQUELAE RELATED TO ABORTION. Retrieved on September 16, 2004 from www.afterabortion.org/physica.html

3. RU-486facts.org. (n.d.). What is RU-486?. Retrieved on September 17, 2004 from www.ru486facts.org/index.cfm?page=whatis

4. Cullen, M. Searle. (2000. August 23). Letter to the United States Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on September 12,2004 from www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2000/cytote.htm5.

5. Seckora, Melissa. (2001. February 7). National Review Online. Making America Safe for RU-486. Retrieved on September 12, 2004 from www.nationalreview.com/nr_comment/nr_comment020701a.shtml

6. RU-486facts.org. (n.d.). Side Effects. 2004. September 17. www.ru486facts.org/index.cfm?page=sideeffects

7. American Association of Prolife Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2003. November 6). Aaplog.org. Reps. DeMint, Bartlett and Sen. Brownback Introduce ‘Holly’s Law’. Retrieved September 14, 2004 from www.aaplog.org/newsru486suspensionandreview.htm

8. American Association of Prolife Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2002. April 24). Aaplog.org. Induced abortion and the Subsequent Risk of Breast Cancer. Retrieved September 14, 2004 from www.aaplog.org/ABC.htm

9. Breast Cancer Prevention Institute. (n.d.). Fact Sheet. Retrieved September 16, 2004 from www.bcpinstitute.org/physiology.htm