§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the link between induced abortion and breast cancer. [155817]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government believe that any woman considering an abortion must have all the facts to make an informed decision. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidance, "The care of women requesting induced abortion" (2000), states that professionals involved in abortion care should be equipped to provide women with information on the long-term effects of abortion which are rare or unproven, including breast cancer.
The RCOG is in the process of updating its guidance. It has carried out an extensive review of the literature and concluded that the evidence shows that induced abortion is not associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer.
A similar review of recent evidence has taken place in the United States, where the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also concluded that there was no evidence in the body of medical research to suggest any causal link between abortion and breast cancer1.
Cancer Research UK is undertaking a study of the risk factors associated with breast cancer, including a further international review of the research evidence on abortion and breast cancer. The results of this study will be made available when completed.
1International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, November 2003.