Miss Oregon, Breast Cancer and Abortion

[athon]

Folks, I need your help, and need it fairly quickly.

I teach in a Catholic school. As an atheist science teacher, I get away with a fair bit, and honestly the girls here are pretty damn critical in their thinking. I hazard to guess that we produce more atheists here than we convert Catholics, going on the discussions that are often raised.

I always said I'd teach here so long as I could promote critical thinking. Now, somebody in our RE department was permitted to invite former 2002 Miss Oregon 'Brita Stream' to speak to the girls on abortion. I have no problem with such a talk being given, so long as it's not twisting facts or scare mongering. Which is exactly what it was. She presented the Joel Brind study linking breast cancer and abortion.

I want to make a fuss about this. Even if it means I leave the school at the end of the teaching year, I won't stand for it. I remember reading a few years ago the criticisms against the study, and remember deciding for myself it was a poor experiment. I have the whole science department agreeing with me, but I think this is a fight I'm going to have to take up myself.

I need some back-up studies and criticisms of Brind's work, and fast. Yes, I'm asking for others to help me with my 'home work', primarily because I'm typing this at school and don't have the luxury of doing a heap of research at this moment. But I don't want this to go cold.

Any help?

Athon

[Fnord]

This link seems to be a good place to start. (http://www.fumento.com/column2.html) (Seems to give a balanced view.)

Here's another. (http://www.skepticfiles.org/american/aane1230.htm) (Second article down the page)

IMHO, it doesn't matter who tells their "personal" horror stories, how many graphic images are shown, or what statistics and research are cited; a woman who wants an abortion will get one, and one who doesn't won't.

[kellyb]

The wiki page ain't too shabby...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion-breast_cancer_hypothesis

[Schneibster]

Here's an authoritative source: the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage). I don't think anyone can argue with that.

[Schneibster]

Here's the money quote, with a highlight:

Current Knowledge
In February 2003, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened a workshop of over 100 of the world’s leading experts who study pregnancy and breast cancer risk. Workshop participants reviewed existing population-based, clinical, and animal studies on the relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk, including studies of induced and spontaneous abortions. They concluded that having an abortion or miscarriage does not increase a woman’s subsequent risk of developing breast cancer. A summary of their findings, titled Summary Report: Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer Workshop, can be found at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report .

[athon]

This link seems to be a good place to start. (http://www.fumento.com/column2.html) (Seems to give a balanced view.)

Here's another. (http://www.skepticfiles.org/american/aane1230.htm) (Second article down the page)

IMHO, it doesn't matter who tells their "personal" horror stories, how many graphic images are shown, or what statistics and research are cited; a woman who wants an abortion will get one, and one who doesn't won't.

Fantastic. Thanks.

I agree, BTW. My girls a pretty smart; I chatted with them today and they saw the whole talk for what it was. They knew it was scaremongering. I'm not worried so much about the overall influence on the girls, but as the teacher responsible for critical thinking practice in the school, I'm livid that they felt obliged to use such tactics to promote their values.

I want to be informed as much as possible for when I address the appropriate staff about this.

Athon

[athon]

Here's the money quote, with a highlight:

That's the ticket. I'm organising a meeting with one of the heads later; I don't know yet if I'll be ignored, or allowed to make a fuss.

I expect there'll be something of a statement that this isn't a big deal, or that I'm overreacting.

Athon

[Fnord]

Here's an authoritative source: the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage). I don't think anyone can argue with that.


Government shills! They're hiding the truth! It was thermoot in the strawberries. I know, it had to be. I ordered every key on the ship collected, and a thorough search was made. Sure, those journalists from the Post say it was tape on the door, but we need to protect our Precious Bodily Fluids, and ...

What were we discussing again?

[Schneibster]

Mmmm, I'd go with "incorrect medical advice by unqualified personnel" if I were you. But you gotta call 'em like you see 'em. Glad we could help.

[fuelair]

Fantastic. Thanks.

I agree, BTW. My girls a pretty smart; I chatted with them today and they saw the whole talk for what it was. They knew it was scaremongering. I'm not worried so much about the overall influence on the girls, but as the teacher responsible for critical thinking practice in the school, I'm livid that they felt obliged to use such tactics to promote their values.

I want to be informed as much as possible for when I address the appropriate staff about this.

Athon
Sorry, it is my observation that most woos choose to use the scary stories to "prove" their points. I have friends who are religious - but they like me enough not to preach at me - and I like them enough not to harrass. Outsiders, on the other hand....................:rolleyes::rolleyes::jaw-dropp:D

[tkingdoll]

Mmmm, I'd go with "incorrect medical advice by unqualified personnel" if I were you. But you gotta call 'em like you see 'em. Glad we could help.


Quite.

Because this woman is famous for being thin and having good hair, she's somehow qualified to not only lecture on medical matters concerning life and death, but is qualified to give psychology advice concerning the futures of young girls? Hardly.

I notice that she won her pageant with the self-same speech. Why not ask her to sing the Star Spangled Banner and do the splits instead.

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/jul/02071704.html

[athon]

Mmmm, I'd go with "incorrect medical advice by unqualified personnel" if I were you. But you gotta call 'em like you see 'em. Glad we could help.

The girls beat me to that one. I talked to my science class today, and the feedback I got was enough to make my cry tears of pride. They more or less gave her the third degree, it sounds, and she apparently got painted into a corner by them.

Nonetheless, I got some feedback after bringing it all up, although still waiting on word from higher up the chain. I hope I still have a job tomorrow. However it's sounding like one member of staff who is responsible for religious instruction tried to overturn the decision to have her in. It didn't work, and the decision was vetoed by somebody higher up. Not sure who.

Thanks again to those who helped out. It definitely helped my case to have that on board when I protested.

Athon

[thatguywhojuggles]

The girls beat me to that one. I talked to my science class today, and the feedback I got was enough to make my cry tears of pride. They more or less gave her the third degree, it sounds, and she apparently got painted into a corner by them.


Fantastic! Sounds like you're doing a great job there. Keep it up!

[Walrus32]

A few comments:

I abhor abortions.

Having said that, I am possibly the only one around here who has ever performed one.

So, naturally, I've followed the debate over abortions , pro and con, closely.

And so, does the peer-reviewed literature establish a link between abortion and breast cancer?

No.

[Schneibster]

Tell us how it comes out, athon. Nice job with the young ladies; there should be more like you.

[lionking]

I sympathise with the conflict you must face working in a catholic school athon. My (non-believing) daughter works in a catholic school and treats it as a bit of a joke. She is, however, a "young" 25 and I really worry she may be converted.:eek: