AMA and Greens criticise Senator Eric Abetz for making false link between cancer and abortion

SENATOR Eric Abetz’s comments linking abortion with breast cancer are an insult to all women, says acting Greens Leader Adam Bandt, who has demanded he apologise.

SENATOR Eric Abetz’s comments linking abortion with breast cancer are an insult to all women, says acting Greens Leader Adam Bandt.

Senator Abetz appeared on Channel 10 program The Project last night and was asked if he believed the “factually incorrect” statement that abortion leads to breast cancer.

“I think the studies, and I think they date back from the 1950s, assert that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer,” he said.

The senator then said there were organisations, other than the Australian Medical Association (AMA), that had differing opinions.

Mr Bandt has demanded Senator Abetz apologise for his comments and not attend the upcoming World Congress of Families conference.

“Eric Abetz’s comments are an insult, not just to any woman who has suffered breast cancer or who has had an abortion, but to all women,” the MP said.

“The minister should not scare young women by peddling his dark, anti-choice ideology on national television.

“This is a Government of old men who do not share modern Australian values.”

Mr Bandt said the Minister should commit to not attending the World Congress of Families Conference, if he “accepts the science on this issue as he now claims”.

“If Tony Abbott accepts the science and respects women’s freedom, he should censure Minister Abetz and ensure that his ministers do not attend this conference either.”

Senator Abetz has denied linking abortion with breast cancer, despite lecturing a Channel 10 reporter over “differing opinions” on the issue.

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This morning, Senator Abetz issued a statment saying it was “incorrect” that he had drawn, or believes there is, a link between abortion and breast cancer.

“In my interview last night on The Project I studiously avoided doing so, and was cut off before being able to acknowledge that Dr Angela Lanfranchi’s views on this topic were not the accepted medical view,” he said in a statement.

AMA President Associate Professor Brian Owler appeared to hear things differently.

Last night he told media the senator had “cherrypicked” old information skewed toward an anti-abortion ideology.

Massive longitudinal Danish data linkage study shows no association btw induced abortion & breast cancer #abetz http://t.co/MO2LfudsX9

— Simon Chapman (@SimonChapman6) August 7, 2014

He said the comments were not based on current or conventional medical evidence.

“I just don’t understand why a senior member of government would want to try to take on this issue and put himself out in the media using articles I’m told are from the 1950s as the basis of his discussion,” Professor Owler told AAP.

The professor said he respected freedom of speech but Senator Abetz’s comments came with significant responsibility towards the truth because of his senior government role.

“This is a serious issue and it should be discussed on the basis of current medical evidence.

“There is no evidence to say breast cancer and abortion are linked.

“Let’s not use false evidence or try and link abortion with other things such as breast cancer, I don’t think it’s fair and it’s certainly not fair to people who may have experienced breast cancer,” he said.

I've just spoken to Eric Abetz. He rejects suggestions he made a link between abortion & breast cancer. (cont...)

— Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) August 7, 2014

The AMA is also concerned about the involvement of senior members of government, including Senator Abetz, with the World Congress of Families event to be held in Melbourne later this month, Professor Owler said

In his statement this morning, Senator Abetz again defended the cancer-abortion link.

“As I pointed out, I am associating myself with the Families Conference - the broad aims of which I support. This does not mean that I endorse the views of every single speaker.

“Notwithstanding this, Dr Lanfranchi is a breast cancer surgeon and a clinical assistant professor of surgery.

This Senator just undermined millions of breast cancer sufferers around the world. #mmia #auspol http://t.co/dd2mF9ZvVR

— Shauna Anderson (@shaunaand) August 7, 2014

“She is the surgical co-director of the Sanofi-Aventis Breast Care Centre and the Steeplechase Cancer Centre in New Jersey.

“She has spoken at hospitals and universities around the world and she has the right to free speech in Australia.

“I accept the AMA has a right to disagree with Dr Lanfranchi’s views.”

I respect yr right to think abortion is wrong @SenatorAbetz but won't tolerate peddling myths that frighten women unnecessarily #nolink

— Dr Sally Cockburn (@DrSallyCockburn) August 7, 2014