Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Oh, I know this is bound to be a hot topic, but I don't intend it to be a political or philosophical debate at all. I just want to share info that many may not have ever heard before, me included. (I personally don't fall in lockstep with either philosophical viewpoint, I have my own value system and beliefs that are gray area/independent of the two distinct paradigms.)

Following are 3 good links that offer the science and biology behind this risk factor, as well as birth control pills. Admittedly, the links tend to have a bit of a philosophical point of view, but are not heavy handed. Ignore any judgment and just read the whys and wherefores and biology of how it all creates a higher risk environment for breast cancer to develop.

http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/The_Link.htm

http://www.lifenews.com/2009/01/01/nat-5850/

http://www.drwalt.com/blog/?p=3790

(Other than a few specific programs that I trust within Komen, I have become pretty wary of them in recent years. My new sticky points I have learned through this research is: 1. Why Komen affiliates donate over $750,000 a year to Planned Parenthood for providing mammograms, when PP doesn't provide mammograms. They only provide a phone # and address that women can go to for mammograms. 2. Why Komen contributes $3.3mil annually to their abortion services when they know about the connection to risk factors and they know that PP doesn't warn or council of the increased BC risk caused by abortions and birth control pills. )

Why do the NCI, the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other cancer fundraising businesses make no efforts to reduce breast cancer rates by issuing nationwide warnings to women? It's a statistically significant 40% risk increase for women who have had abortions and is listed among "known and suspected risk factors.

"Obviously, more women will die of breast cancer if the NCI fails in its duty to warn about the risks of OCs and abortion and if government funds are used to pay for both as a part of any healthcare bill."

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Brenda,

I have a 'wild' thought - perhaps those orgnizations are aware of the raised breast cancer risk of abortion and try to offer their services to those who are running the 'high' risks?

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked--UNLINKED per American Cancer Society review
 

gives reasons studies are hard to do, summarizes results of best studies done to date:
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastC...-breast-cancer

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

a few more studies reviewed:
Swedish Study

Since 1994, several exhaustive studies have found no tie between abortion and breast cancer. A 30-year Swedish study of 49,000 women indicated no link between abortion and breast cancer. Furthermore, the Swedish study did not suffer from an inaccurate reporting of medical histories because it was based on a national medical registry in Sweden and not based on interviews.

Largest Study Ever in Denmark, 1997

Published in 1997, a study from Denmark indicates no increased risk for women who had abortions when they analyzed medical histories of more than 1.5 million women. This larger more comprehensive study is persuasive because it does not rely upon interviews. Data came from Denmark's national health records, thereby eliminating the possibility of "recall bias." The study showed that even women who had two or more abortions were no more likely than those who never had an abortion to develop breast cancer.

The Danish study analyzed the abortion histories of 10,246 women with breast cancer among 1,529,512 women. A total of 370,715 abortions occurred in 280,965 women. Among the 2.3% of women who had abortions after the first trimester (after 12 weeks), the researchers found a gradually increasing risk of breast cancer as the stage of pregnancy advanced. However, researchers concluded that the actual number of women with second trimester abortions was too small to warrant a firm conclusion. In Denmark, abortions are both legal and free, so there are fewer reasons for women to have abortions after 18 weeks unless there are other medical problems. These other problems might themselves be the cause of the increased cancer rate.

Interestingly, women who had abortions prior to seven weeks of pregnancy actually showed a slightly decreased risk of developing breast cancer. But again, the actual number of women in this category is very small.

Also in January 1997, a Netherlands Cancer Institute study documented the existence of "recall bias" and concluded it was a significant factor affecting early studies on the link between abortion and breast cancer.

Other Published Reports: According to findings published in the January 2000 issue of Epidemiology, women who have had an induced abortion are at no more risk for breast cancer than their counterparts who did not have an abortion. Researchers at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health-Division of Epidemiology and the Mayo Clinic examined a study sample of 1986-1995 data from 37,247 Iowa Women's Health Study participants ages 55-64, who, at the 1986 baseline, reported no history of breast cancer. Through 1995, 653 women underwent an induced abortion. The authors found that the age-adjusted relative risk of breast cancer among women with prior induced abortion was no greater than those who had never undergone an abortion, nor did the risk increase with increasing numbers of induced abortions. There were 438 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 person-years among women who reported they did have an abortion, compared to 392 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 person-years for women who did not have abortions. (Lazovich et al., Epidemiology, 1/00 issue). As reported by the Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, Jan. 25, 2000.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

regarding the concern that no one is warning women of the risk, do you really think it would matter?

We all know there is increased risk from smoking, drinking, being overweight, etc, and yet, how many people heed those warnings.

If someone is in the position of deciding whether to have a baby or have an abortion, I can't imagine telling them they may have an increased risk of breast cancer in the future would really matter. It is such a life altering decision, and most of the women are so young, I can't imagine a nineteen year old who has gotten pregnant and has decided to have an abortion, changing her mind and deciding to carry the baby, with all the ramifications of that decision, because she may have an increased risk of breast cancer in her lifetime.

Laurie

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

This is the 2009 abstract that the data was confirmed... specifically in the first chart (you have to click on the chart to view it within the abstract).

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/18/4/1157.full

It is curiously coauthored by Louise A. Brinton of the NCI.
Brinton was the chief organizer for the 2003 NCI (U.S. National Cancer Institute) ‘workshop’ on ‘early reproductive events and breast cancer,’ a panel which reported that the lack of an ABC link had been established.
While the NCI maintains no abortion-breast cancer link exists, Brinton is the co-author of a study that appears to prove otherwise. Very curious.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I personally believe that it must become a part of the vernacular, starting with adding it to sex-ed for girls. I think perhaps an entire section of sex-ed or health class at an appropriate age should be about breast cancer. Much like how we are taught that cigarette smoking is linked to lung cancer from the minute we find out what cigarettes are. I know it doesn't prevent all from smoking cigarettes, but it does create the overall sense that you are making a choice that can be a major health issue in your future.

I also believe the information should be given to women/young women by GYNs when counseled about oral contraceptives and whenever by whomever counsels women/young women about an abortion. You are right, it may not change their mind in the moment, but the info must be offered and NOT ignored by society. Abortion has become accepted enough to talk openly about, this must not be one of the "dirty little secrets" of abortion that is only muttered under one's breath.

Lani, looking at the biology behind it, and Dr. Dolle's study from 2009, it's pretty far fetched for me personally to consider data from the 80s to 2000. And the link you posted to the American Cancer Society's take on it (a 2003 report/study reference to the NCI panel) predates the new issue of this 2009 study, and the NCI research activist, who in the last year has backpedaled and now admits the link between abortion and breast cancer does exist.
More current research proving the connection: Age and induced abortion significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk. Researcher Vahit Ozmen from Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Surgery, and Public Health Department; and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, USA http://www.wjso.com/content/7/1/37

A fantastic source for current research and links is Dr. Walt... this one is from 2010 titled: National Cancer Institute Researcher Admits Abortion-Breast Cancer Link True http://www.drwalt.com/blog/?p=1419

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I once read somewhere that the hormones stimulated during pregnancy and left "suspended" via abortion are suspected to ignite breast cancer as much as any other risk factor. I couldn't tell you where I read it, or quote it even; however, I do believe it.
Karen

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I have learned that there is no point to discussing abortion. At least for we "mature" women -- we have figured out by now where we stand on this one. I honor each individual stance. I have my thoughts, and you have yours, and we each want the best for those who come after us. Let's let that be.

As far as breast cancer risk factors, there is really no need to even talk about this -- abortions MAY be just one more "risk factor", whether valid or not -- another one that is SO damn small that it would not be even worth mentioning, if we had some stronger risk factors to talk about, imho. And I doubt that at this point, we're going to find one single (or even a few) risk factors that are reliable causes of breast cancer. It's a crap shoot.

So far, ALL risk factors are in that same miniscule category (BRCA+ or strong family hx excepted). Those miniscule risk factors are so often quoted in the media that most people think they are important (no childbearing, late childbearing, not breast feeding, blah-blah-blah).

But I'd wager that the majority of us on this list, with a diagnosis of HER2+ BC, and many with mets -- had NONE of the most-often-noted risk factors. That's what statistics show -- that breast cancer is mostly totally random. The "risk factors" that we know (BRCA+ and strong family history excepted) are so minor as to be barely worth mentioning.

Debbie Laxague

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I do not know about the 'philosophical' point of view of this journal. But here's an abstract of the latest European research on the subject - There's 'no link':

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2011 May 11. [Epub ahead of print]
Misinformation on abortion.

Rowlands S.
Source

Institute of Clinical Education , Warwick Medical School, Coventry , UK.

Abstract

Objective To find the latest and most accurate information on aspects of induced abortion. Methods A literature survey was carried out in which five aspects of abortion were scrutinised: risk to life, risk of breast cancer, risk to mental health, risk to future fertility, and fetal pain.

Findings Abortion is clearly safer than childbirth. There is no evidence of an association between abortion and breast cancer. Women who have abortions are not at increased risk of mental health problems over and above women who deliver an unwanted pregnancy. There is no negative effect of abortion on a woman's subsequent fertility. It is not possible for a fetus to perceive pain before 24 weeks' gestation.

Misinformation on abortion is widespread. Literature and websites are cited to demonstrate how data have been manipulated and misquoted or just ignored. Citation of non-peer reviewed articles is also common. Mandates insisting on provision of inaccurate information in some US State laws are presented.

Attention is drawn to how women can be misled by Crisis Pregnancy Centres. Conclusion There is extensive promulgation of misinformation on abortion by those who oppose abortion. Much of this misinformation is based on distorted interpretation of the scientific literature.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

When I see conclusions to studies and researchers stating that "These findings suggest that age and induced abortion were found to be significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk" and "Daling studies from '94 and '96 showed between a 20 and 50 percent increased breast cancer risk for women having abortions compare to those who carried their pregnancies to term" and "Dolle’s team reported in Table 1 a statistically significant 40% risk increase for women who have had abortions and listed it among “known and suspected risk factors" and a researcher from the NCI recanting a previous pronouncement and stating there is a known risk factor... ~ I personally can't write it off or down play it to protect a philosophy or avoid philosophical differences. As I said in the initial post, I didn't post this to create any political or philosophical debates. I posted it to share even further info about an avoidable risk factor.

Aren't we preached to day in and day out these days to personally practice preventative medicine to stay as healthy and dire diagnosis free as possible? That to me includes sharing ALL of the known risk factors that can lead to a disease. One key is knowing all of the avoidable risks. If not having an abortion is a way to avoid a risk, then I would say girls, young ladies and women need to know about it.

Considering the 'often noted' risk factors... being over ideal weight, conventional hormone injected diet, no regular exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, exposure to estrogen, stress and anxiety, age, family history, no pregnancies or breastfeeding, DES esposure... then I had the conventional diet, lack of exercise, extra exposure to estrogen and no pregnancies risk factors, and I don't know about DES exposure, but I suspect it was entirely possible, being born in 1959. Add those together and I am definitely in a higher risk category. And my onc agrees.

I am betting that most of us didn't know much about conventional dietary concerns much before diagnosis, or the risks of dietary estrogens that we probably consumed tons of unknowingly, or that our bodies are programed to have a child and breastfeed before we are 30, or that we needed to continue exercising regularly beyond our teens/early 20s, or the ramifications of partying in college and/or drinking 2-3 glasses of wine 3-4 days a week... that all of these things added together would increase our risks of one day being dxed w/ breast cancer. And there is no guarantee that being extremely smart and knowledgeable about everything that is a risk factor and avoiding every single one of them will protect us from ever getting a diagnosis... but then why follow through with BRCA testing. Not everyone who is BRCA positive gets breast cancer. And not everyone who smokes their whole life gets lung cancer. And not everyone who gets lung cancer ever smoked. So then, why even tell folks about the risk factors?

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Just saw heading and have not had time to read all info but was wondering if having a miscarriage would be classed the same? I've has 3 miscarriages...

Sue

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Once you read the biology, it seems to me to indicate, sadly, that interrupted pregnancies can be one risk factor involved in contributing to an environment for breast cancer. I could be reading it wrong, but I don't believe so. I don't know the statistical difference between induced interruption or natural interruption... you can probably find it somewhere.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Brenda,
This is exactly what I read, maybe two years ago, or so. It seems an interrupted pregnancy, intentional or unintentional, does create yet another risk for breast cancer. To what degree? No one yet knows but data suggests a link. I think breast cancer rates are the highest in countries where abortion rates are also high? Can't remember, but I for one, regardless of my stance on abortion, believe this data could be sound.
Also, anyone privy on HPV strains and breast cancer association?
Thanks for posting.
Karen

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Actually I remember reading a while back that the highest abortion rate is in Vietnam, where breast cancer rates are low...

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Admittedly, there are many characteristics to be taken into account... and potentially ethnicity plays a role first before other risk factors kick in.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Debbie excellent post, well said. Love and good wishes to all. Lois

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Maybe it's the dairy!

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I absolutely agree and believe that the hormones in conventional milk and dairy products are contributors in the dietary risk factors.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Before my mom recurred, she was mainlining coffee and regular milk... Too bad giving birth to me didn't prevent this crap (on a crapstick).

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I was very young when I suffered a late misscarraige and it was on my chart as an abortion which upset me at the time until my Dr explained, but I wonder if this info had anything to do with my diagnosis as I went on to have two more late miscarraige's before having a full term baby. I suppose we're always looking for a reason for this cancer though!

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

< decreasing...

= remaining the same...

> increasing

Besides decreasing and increasing, there is a possibility of 'no change' or 'statistically not significant'.

[Not increasing = either decreasing or remaining the same (no change).]

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I had my 3 children while in my 20's, breast fed them,
exercized regularly for years, ate home grown veggies, canned so had them throughout the winter, did not overly indulge in alcohol, etc. and no family history of B.C. My only risk factor was using hormone replacement during menapause.
I agree with Debbie... it's a crap shoot.... you either get it or you don't...
Carol
Dx IDC '04 2.2 cm. 4/ 18 nodes positive...
7 years out and healthy

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

It is a crap shoot to a degree, I certainly agree, but the more we know, the more we can teach those coming behind us to try and avoid the avoidable known risk factors as we learn about them. In my opinion it's incumbent upon us as survivors to share all that we learn with others as effectively as we can...

(I know I am stating the obvious, but HRT is also proven in the last decade to be a very large risk factor...) "With longer follow-up results available, there remains a cumulative, statistically significant increase in breast cancers in the combined hormone therapy group, and the cancers more commonly had lymph node involvement," write researcher Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD, of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, Calif., and colleagues.
and
http://www.scientificamerican.com/bl...ati-2008-12-15

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Here is my problem with statistics related to things that may or may not cause breast cancer:

Estrogen: Some things do have a causative effect (i.e. only in hormone positive b.c., would the elevated hormones left "suspended" after abortion or miscarriage possibly cause breast cancer...we all know by now that estrogen has a brutal effect on breast tissue after menopause when one's progesterone is no longer available to mitigate its effects....but do we know if the hormones left suspended after abortion/miscarriage are ONLY estrogen??) For a good number of women on this HER2 site, however, our cancer had nothing to do with hormones cos we are hormone negative. Still, that taint "omg abortions/miscarriages must have caused the breast cancer" is left largely unexamined and hormone negative BC people are going to mistakenly blame those things for their cancer.

Coincidence: When reading a study about a suggested cause of Breast Cancer, we keep forgetting that the designer of the research project NEVER HAD TO BOTHER ANALYZING CAUSE AND EFFECT. Rather, it suffices as good, scientific research if two things coexist in statistical significance. For example: if you are alive in North America you have eaten french fries. Often. unless your figure is highly important to you you are a fairly regular consumer of french fries. Do french fries cause breast cancer? No. But those with breast cancer have eaten french fries, so the study would have us blaming french fries for our cancer. Now there is a coincidence possible that, say a thousand people divided into two groups might have a statistically significant different group rate for french fry consumption. Via coincidence. If the BC group had the higher french fry rate we would be blaming BC on french fries. Ridiculous.

Statistical Minorities: I don't know about you, but I am floored, reading the Signature lines of people on this site who went from Stage 0 or Stage I to Stage IV in almost no time flat. They are alive and NED, tons of them, after metastasis. They totally defy the mortality predictors and science. (My onc says he would not allow me a resection should I metastasize, as statistically or whatever, BC is not a good cancer for that. It will just pop up on another organ, or whatever. Thank God I don't believe him. Thank God all the signature lines I have read today have defied him.) When you consider the amount of energy and money put into the idea of catching BC in stages 0 or I, I have to question the benefit. Tons and tons of women go from Stage 0 or I to Stage IV in no time flat.

I am a smoker, I drink, I never have been pregnant at all, I got my period young (11 yrs old). I have cancer.
When my mom was the age I am now she had breast cancer. She never smoked, never drank, and was pregnant a total of seven times, and got her period late. I have no idea if her cancer was HER2 cos it was the 1970's.
How I wish it was fifty years from now and we actually knew what causes breast cancer, specifically each kind of BC. What is shameful is that sixty five years of breast cancer research and BC mortality has remained constant, per capita, as has the incidence of it. Other cancers have had like, 65% drop in those areas. (Please correct my stats if they are incorrect.) Frustrated by learning today Komen only donates 6% of their donations to research. Here we are, clutching at straws to prevent other women from getting it, when in fact we are drowning in a lack of knowing why it occurs.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Sue's post above hits on my comments, I had three very late miscarraige's (26/24/34 weeks) which was referred to on my medical notes as abortion and happened at a very young age so maybe there is something in this!
I've never taken HRT but did take the birth control pill for many years which I attribute to my dx..

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Amen Debbie!

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

And Amen again Nora and Debbie!!

Ellie

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

thank you very much debbie and ellie.

ladies who had miscarriages and abortions:

If you are ER- and PR- your hormones did not give you breast cancer. Therefore your abortions and miscarriages had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR GETTING CANCER!

MORE BREAST CANCER MONEY NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO RESEARCHERS.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

In my case I was highly hormone pos for both, but agree its a crap shoot!

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I firmly believe that eventually science will prove our 'genes' are the most important factor in cancer link.

Out of the 15-20 female relatives I know, my 2nd Sister-in-law and I used to be the only ones who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I grew up in the surberb; she grew up in the city. I am the youngest child of six; she the oldest of 4. I lived overseas for 20 years before the cancer diagnosis; she'd never left home except a few trips abroad. We both were diagnosed about the same age - early and mid 40's.

Now a third relative (not a blood kin, either) is having breast cancer surgery today. She's in her mid 60's and has been a sign-language expert because she can not speak (caused by fever when she was a baby?). Her two daughters, both registered nurses, are with her in the hospital right now.

She grew up in another part of the big island country. Her family has had tremendous health problems: both her parents passed away when the children were still young (my Brother-in-law had begun to cook for his whole family at age 13 and became an excellent cook besides teaching high school math - he took early retirement because of health problems.) One of her nephews is autistic...

It sounds logical that the abrupt interruption of hormones could have some effect on the ER+, PR+ breast cancer. However, research (see previous post (#10)on this thread) does not support this assumption.

ps.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2011 May 11. [Epub ahead of print]
Misinformation on abortion.

Rowlands S.
Source

Institute of Clinical Education , Warwick Medical School, Coventry , UK.

Abstract

Objective To find the latest and most accurate information on aspects of induced abortion. Methods A literature survey was carried out in which five aspects of abortion were scrutinised: risk to life, risk of breast cancer, risk to mental health, risk to future fertility, and fetal pain.

Findings Abortion is clearly safer than childbirth. There is no evidence of an association between abortion and breast cancer. Women who have abortions are not at increased risk of mental health problems over and above women who deliver an unwanted pregnancy. There is no negative effect of abortion on a woman's subsequent fertility. It is not possible for a fetus to perceive pain before 24 weeks' gestation.

Misinformation on abortion is widespread. Literature and websites are cited to demonstrate how data have been manipulated and misquoted or just ignored. Citation of non-peer reviewed articles is also common. Mandates insisting on provision of inaccurate information in some US State laws are presented.

Attention is drawn to how women can be misled by Crisis Pregnancy Centres. Conclusion There is extensive promulgation of misinformation on abortion by those who oppose abortion. Much of this misinformation is based on distorted interpretation of the scientific literature.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

The most important risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman in an industrialized country, and the older you are, the more your risk goes up.

I think the focus on individual lifestyle choices and individual control over risk factors masks a huge political, philosophical and social issue in this country. We have chosen to tackle a large public health problem with a double whammy of "free market" fundraising campaigns and a message of "empowerment." The free market fundraising elevates breast cancer over others and has resulted in a huge "cancer industrial complex" that, sadly, has no real incentive to work itself out of a job. The "protect yourself and your family" meme (mostly by screening, according to the prevailing messages) gives people the false idea that they can "conquer" this disease (and other cancers) on their own. You can't. No one can.

We have spent billions of dollars on breast cancer in the last 40 years with some improvement in the situation, but not enough. Focusing on individual lifestyle choices takes the focus off many critically important issues, including the paucity of funding for Stage IV research and the likelihood that environmental factors are far more important than lifestyle.

Do not dare compare the smoking/lung cancer link and ANY known risk factor for breast cancer, other than being a woman. Lung cancer and cigarette smoking are unquestionably in a causal relationship. I had NONE of the known risk factors for breast cancer (other than age). Neither did many of you.

Quibbling about highly variable, poorly controlled, retrospective studies (possibly funded by people with a specific political agenda) of one tiny potential risk factor strikes me as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

love you amy. love what you wrote. have tears in eyes. your kindness is powerful. god bless you. your intelligence and compassion blow me away.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

I love you too, Nora. I'm not happy about the reason we "met," but I'm glad to know you.

After multiple tries I have found your blog. Awesome.

God bless you.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Here's another thought I've had ....while I do have some risk factors (early onset of menses, didn't breastfeed, age, obesity, hrt-wow, that seems more now that I write them down) - anyway, I've read a few studies tying inflammation as a possible cause of bc. I had two tumors in the exact spot where I've had several cysts that were biopsied by needle aspiration. I've always had a feeling that the irritation/inflammation caused by those needles could cause cell mutations leading to cancer. Here is a link to a study.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0419091159.htm

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Just scrolled down the list and saw Jackie's post on a study on inflammation as a bc cause......I'd volunteer but they're using nipple aspirate and, well, I no longer have nipples so guess I'd be screened out. Sounds interesting.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Risk factors are an interesting topic. Just had referral for a mammo following Sept. 2011 routine checkup. Had one every year for years, except last year, due to advanced age (80+).

Healthy & extremely active. Take meds to control high blood pressure, also Evista for osteoporosis prevention for years. Never took any hormones of any kind. No family history whatsoever, with many high longevity relatives (90-100+). Not a single known case!

Last surgery was in 1933 (not a typo). Same ideal weight since college graduation during WWII. Will be 89 in Jan.

Other risk factors? Have always eaten low-fat, high-fruit/veg diet. Tons of regular exercise (aerobics, walking, stairs, biking, swimming, hiking, etc). Very minimal alcohol, a drink a month. No smoking, low stress & anxiety. Children are adopted.

Had mod radical mastectomy yesterday, full axillary node dissection. Home today. Feel great! Lots of energy, walked stairs & regular routine today, lower activity than most days (skipped exercise class!). No pain whatsoever!
(they did a new type of nerve block instead of general anesthesia for the procedure). Will find out more info at post-op visit next week.
(daughter is here helping out)

Its good to pay attention to those risk factors you can control, but sometimes things just happen. That's life.

Re: Abortion/breast cancer linked
 

Gunna just throw my idea out there everyone, I think its mostly women get breast cancer because we have most of the breasts