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researchers to examine which kinds of breast cancer tumours, Pill/breast cancer link. Dr Claire Chilvers released a major study ER+ or not ER+, are increasing at a faster rate. in the Lancet in 1989. She found that "there was a highly signifi- In 1990 a study based on information from the Kaiser cant trend in risk of breast cancer with the total duration of oral Permanente tumour registry in the US revealed that from 1974 to —_—contraceptives".'* Women using the Pill between 49 and 96 1985 the nationwide incidence of ER+ breast tumours rose 131 months had a 43 per cent greater risk of developing breast cancer, per cent—about five times faster than the incidence of tumours and women using it for more than 97 months had a 74 per cent without oestrogen receptors." greater risk. In 1995, after publication of a study on trends in cancer inci- This research was further backed up by a paper, published in dence and mortality in the United States, Dr Joseph Fraumeni Jr, the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1989, that reported a an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute, told the New 100 per cent increased risk of breast cancer which extended from York Times that the rise in tumours that are stimulated by oestro- 10 years of Pill use down to just three months of use!” gen (but not in those that do not respond to oestrogen) "suggests Another source of support came from Harvard School of Public that some hormonal factor may be involved". Fraumeni's list of Health in a review paper published in Cancer: "...data combined possible influences include contraceptives and menopausal hor- from case-control studies revealed a statistically significant posi- mones, exposure to oestrogen-like compounds in plants, and chlo- tive trend in the risk of premenopausal breast cancer for women rinated hydrocarbons that act like oestrogens." exposed to oral contraceptives for longer duration. This risk was Dr Max Cutler, a highly respected Los Angeles surgeon, gave a predominant among women who used oral contraceptives for at chilling testimony in 1970 at a least four years before their first- BS Senate hearing which was Minor (non-life-threatening) term pregnancy," ; investigating the Pill. This fore- . ae ince the breast tissue o' most authority on breast cancer Side-Effects of the Pill: teenage girls is still developing had been performing microscopic studies of biopsy material from patients who had taken oral con- and is particularly sensitive to overstimulation from synthetic oestrogen, the earlier a woman Allergic reactions - Breakthrough bleeding traceptives. "I have a series of + Decreased immune system function uses the Pill, the greater the risk patients who have had two or Disturbances in liver function not only of developing breast can- three breast biopsies. In some, - Eye disorders, double vision, inflammation cer but also large tumours—and a the biopsies were performed Facial and body hair growth worse prognosis. In a study by before the patient started to take Fluid retention and bloating Olsson (Cancer, 1991) it was the contraceptive pill, and a sec- + Fungal infections and tinea shown that the Pill caused chro- ond or third biopsy was per- © Hair loss mosomal aberrations in the breast formed after the patient had been . tissue of young female users of the on the Pill for several years. ~ Hay fever, asthma, skin rashes Pill." One study found the most Study of surgical specimens » Loss of libido terrifying results: the younger the under these circumstances pre- - Lumpy or tender breasts women were at the time of diagno- sents a unique opportunity to - Migraines sis, the greater the possibility they observe the tissue changes." © Nausea would be dead within five years.” As Dr Cutler feared, his biop- o Psychological and emotional disorders, John Wilks, author of A ses reveal sancreased cota depression, mood changes consumer's Guide to the al and effects ofthe oestrogen". He tes- ~ Secretions from the breast dalous abuse of steroid hormones tified that "the risk is a potential + Skin discolouration by stating that, "...given these time-bomb with a fuse at least 15 + Weight gain results, it is not beyond the bounds to 20 years in length...this is a Systemic Candida infection (or yeast infection) of reasoned argument to suggest gamble which is difficult to justi- © Urinary tract infection that this situation could be cate- fy because of the large numbers - Vaginal discharges, including gorised as drug-induced vandalism of women at risk. The available much greater tendency for vaginal thrush of the female physiology. Yet lit- evidence, indicating a relation- Varicose veins tle or nothing is heard of this lam- ship between the steroid hor- mones and the induction of breast health."* cancer, suggests that this relation- Instead of relying upon the Pill ship is dose-related and time-related. The higher the dose given to ‘regulate’ problem periods, girls would be much better off to - Venereal warts entable betrayal of young women's and the longer the exposure, the greater the number of cancers correct the problem at its source through improved diet, nutrition- produced...""° al supplements, exercise and attention to emotional stresses. It Dr Cutler's purpose for testifying was to urge that only the low- would save them from the horrors of breast cancer and the high est effective doses of the Pill be prescribed and for the shortest risk of dying from the disease. period of time. Another 17 years would elapse before the US The assault on women's breast health comes not only from the would heed Dr Cutler's prophetic warnings. It was only when Dr __ effects of oestrogen but also from progestins. Depo-Provera, an Philip Corfman became Director of the Endocrine and injectable form of synthetic progestin, should be of great concern Metabolism Division of the FDA that the pharmaceutical industry to women. The British Medical Journal reported in 1989 that was persuaded at last to withdraw the high-dose preparations.” women who used progestin before the age of 25 increased their Since the development of breast cancer is related to length of relative risk of breast cancer by 50 per cent. For women using it use, by the late 1980s studies began to reveal the full extent of the for six or more years, the risk increased significantly to 320 per Allergic reactions - Breakthrough bleeding - Decreased immune system function Disturbances in liver function Eye disorders, double vision, inflammation Facial and body hair growth Fluid retention and bloating + Fungal infections and tinea Hair loss Hay fever, asthma, skin rashes Loss of libido + Lumpy or tender breasts - Migraines - Nausea Psychological and emotional disorders, depression, mood changes Secretions from the breast Skin discolouration - Weight gain Systemic Candida infection (or yeast infection) © Urinary tract infection Vaginal discharges, including much greater tendency for vaginal thrush Varicose veins - Venereal warts 28 = NEXUS JUNE - JULY 1997