Can an abortion increase the risk of breast cancer?

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Abortion and Breast Cancer

There are various studies supporting that theory. One found that if the woman is under 18 or over 35, her chance is increased by up to 800%. That is probably too high, but other studies were saying abortions increase your risks by 50% or more. Whatever the number is, I don't think it's a risk worth taking.

Research shows that when a pregnancy is terminated before the milk producing cells have differentiated as they do at the end of pregnancy, the cells that have rapidly grown in the early part of pregnancy are left in limbo and are susceptible to cancer. This is a very simplified account of the research, but the statistics are just beginning to be accepted by the wider medical community because they are substantial and repeatable.

See the Web Links to the left for more information on the connection.

What the American Cancer Society Says

The first two links are promoted by pro-life groups. If you want non-biased facts (not from pro-choice or pro-life groups) on the links between abortion and breast cancer, see what major cancer organizations have to say. Read this for yourself, but the bottom line is in this quote: "Induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk." See the third link below.

First answer by ID409880226. Last edit by Geniuswaitress. Contributor trust: 89 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 31 [recommend question]