“Hasn’t the Pill been discussed enough?” When the Mayo Clinic Proceedings published “Oral Contraceptive Use as a Risk Factor for Premenopausal Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis,” the accompanying editorial in the peer-reviewed scientific journal asked why we have yet to achieve consensus on the risks and benefits of the Pill. It’s likely because there has not yet been a conclusive study. When the Women’s Health Initiative study of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was stopped back in 2002 it was because the risks of continuing the study exceeded the benefits. HRT and the Pill contain the same ingredients in different dosages. The main reason for stopping the HRT estrogen-progestin study was because of a 26% increase in breast cancer.
This new research shows women on the Pill before having their first child have a 44% increased risk in breast cancer.
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, author of this new study, came to Ottawa to discuss his findings, published by the Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned medical centre. He discussed why early Pill use is a significant risk for the development of premenopausal breast cancer.
Journalist Barbara Seaman calls our estrogen use “The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women.” Even after decades, does the experiment continue?
Listen to Dr. Kahlenborn's presentation here (Part 1) and here (Part 2)
View Dr. Kahlenborn's slide presentation here
The pill and cancer: what women should know by Andrea Mrozek, published National Post on May 2, 2007
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn addresses delegates at Parliament Hill seminar.
Delegates prepare to listen to Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar on Parliament Hill.
Sponsoring MP, Pat Davidson, listens attentively to Dr. Chris Kahlenborn as he presents the findings of his study.
IMFC Staff with Sponsoring MP, Pat Davidson and Dr. Chris Kahlenborn
L to R: Peter Jon Mitchell, Pat Davidson, MP, Christina Bulgin, Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, Andrea Mrozek, Kate Fraher
Andrea Mrozek discusses issues with Johanna Kahlenborn, wife of Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, at the Laurentian Leadership Centre seminar on Breast Cancer Awareness.
Delegates listen attentively at Laurentian Leadership Centre seminar on Breast Cancer Awareness.
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn responds to questions following his presentation.
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn continues further discussion with delegates following his presentation.
___________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn is a medical doctor, specializing in internal medicine. Dr. Kahlenborn graduated from Penn State Medical University in 1988 and has been doing research on the effects of oral contraceptives on breast cancer for well over ten years. He continues to see patients as well as travelling the world to give seminars and provide information on this important aspect of women’s health. Thus far he has spoken in Russia, China, the Philippines and Canada, as well as in the United States. In June 2000 he testified on this topic before the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in Washington D.C.
His most recent publication, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings in October, 2006 is called “Oral Contraceptive use as a risk factor for premenopausal breast cancer.” The results of this study remain the focus of some media attention, resulting in stories in Glamour and Redbook, two popular women’s magazines as well as a piece in the National Post on October 20, 2006.
He lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania with his wife.