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Estrogen and Breast cancer-a warning to women Carol Ann Rinzler Macmillan Publishing Group 1993 ISBN 0-02-603491-3
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The forward of this book written by Graham A Colditz Assoc. Prof Medicine Harvard Medical sounded like a breathe of fresh air to me when I read it -Colditz said, "a shift in focus is imperative if we are to lessen the burden of illness that BC places on women."
Part One of this book examines that focus- the focus of estrogen in our lives; from within, that which our body produces, and that, which constitutes the "medicalization" of the stages of the lifecycle - the burden of contraception and the underlying assumption that menopause is a disease.
Rinzler informs the reader that in the 50-60's a new proposition began to percolate throughout the medical community. It was that all of the natural phases of the women's reproductive life -menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and menopause could be relieved, cured, or improved by keeping woman's estrogen level high every day of her life for as long as she lived.
A time frame study discussion focuses on the menopause, and the fertility issue that stemmed from Planned Parenthood
This gives a reflective look on the past to understand how the incidence of BC has skyrocketed from 1-40 in 1940 to 1-10 it is today.
The author notes the policy of various countries attitudes to dispensing The Pill to the population.
Part Two looks at Definitions, statistics and studies.
Part Three details how Hormones and cancer were first linked as a couple.
The author details the First National BC Conference in 1969 and how the Harvard epidemiologists Brian MacMahon and Philip Cole pointed out the direct evidence linking estrogen to reproductive cancers in animals. Others like Hertz -Prof of Obstetrics at George Washington State said (in1969) that " it was reasonable to consider that what people knew about estrogen and Breast cancer was analogous to what they had known about cigarettes and lung cancer before epidemiological studies zeroed in on smoking as the primary cause of lung cancer.
Part Four The Pill and BC-studies are detailed and the NZ National survey that showed that early BC was mostly to occur among young women who used The Pill for 10 years or more is mentioned.
Part Five ERT (estrogen replacement therapy) here a damming statement is printed as a reflection on a conference which issued a statement of a frowning interest rather than a forthright warning of the dangers ahead for women. "Everyone went home to wait for the next study and next set of numbers."
Breast Cancer is not the only disease under the spotlight
Estrogens and osteoporosis.
Estrogens and heart disease are also aired.
The final chapter is a blueprint for the future and a Chronology finishes this well referenced book, time framing from1929 to 1992 the studies, trails, and medical establishments thinking that lead to the hormone manipulation of the female species.
Perhaps we as women with BC need to acknowledge that the future is in our hands and read this book as well as insuring that the material presented should be discussed at high school level.
It does not overlook the fact that breast cancer has been around for centuries- what it does do is explain through evidence a relationship between the increase in the exposure to estrogens and the increase in cases of BC clearly enough for those willing too see it.
Sue McLeod
23.3.00
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