Doctor sees tie between contraceptives, breast cancer

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Nov. 1, 2007

A local surgeon who deals with the surgical treatment of breast cancer has always had an interest in studies that show a link between contraceptives and breast cancer.

So when Dr. Paul Wolpert recently attended the attended the 7th Annual Educational Conference of the Catholic Medical Association, a talk titled Oral Contraception and Premenopausal Breast Cancer caught his attention right away. The talk was delivered by Chris Kahlenborn, M.D.

"The subject has been in the medical literature for the last 10 to 15 years, but it hasn't been accepted insofar as the thesis: that those patients who take oral contraceptives have a higher incidence of cancer before the age of 50 - to the tune of 40 to 70 percent," explained Dr. Wolpert.

The theory, he noted, is that the virginal woman has breasts that are immature and when she becomes pregnant there is a differentiation of her mammary cells into lactating cells.

"If her first pregnancy is without interruption, then the production of the mammary lactating cells is complete," said the local doctor. "If the woman has an abortion or takes oral contraceptives, there is a theory that this normal maturation process is interrupted and the cells are in the midpoint of the differentiation process and these cells are at greater risk to become stimulated by carcinogens in the environment whether it be foods, smoking or other factors."

In order to prevent conception, contraceptives work in three ways:

* changes the cervical mucas,

* prevents an ovulatory cycle,

* changes the environment of the uterine lining so embryo will not be able to implant and if implanted, it will be shed prematurely.

"The shedding of the embryo is called the abortifacient aspect of contraception," he said.

It is estimated that contraceptives work as abortificients in between 1 to 2 percent of the cycles.

"If there are 20 million American women taking birth control pills - and studies have shown that about the same percent of Catholic as non-Catholic women take them - then if you have 12 cycles a year, you potentially have 240 million cycles of which 1 to 2 percent are abortificient," he said.

If you take the average of 1.5 percent, that would mean that 3.6 million pregnancies are chemically aborted through contraceptives. This number far outweighs the number of surgical abortions that are performed each year.

"This concept may help explain some of the factors causing the increase incidence of cancer in the pre-menopausal woman but an issue is the women who are sexually active before their first pregnancy," said the doctor.

As a Catholic in a service industry to promote life and health, it is important for him that others know of the danger of contraceptives.

"The reason this subject interests me is that as a general surgeon, we deal a lot with the treatment of breast cancer and over the years there has been a steady increase of the incidence of breast cancer and the scientists have not really given a satisfactory answer," said Dr. Wolpert.

Since he first started practicing surgery in Sioux City in 1973, he said great strides have been made in treating breast cancer due to improved diagnosis through mammography and in some cases MRI's as well as improved chemotherapy and surgical treatment.

Through creating awareness about the health dangers of contraceptives, the doctor said the knowledge can help in the realm of prevention. He cited the Oct. 18 issue of Time magazine that indicated the worldwide growth in breast cancer. The article urged more research.

"I would like to call a timeout and review the research that has already been done - to see if we can't approach this subject with reasonable, preventative medicine," he said.

While the use of contraceptives continues, the doctor mentioned that there has been a positive trend in the number of pro-life medical clinics that are opening up throughout the country.

"As a Catholic physician, I see no question about what the Catholic Church teaches on contraception," he said. "The problem has been among the scientific community which has rejected some of the reasons to push doctors in the direction of following the church's teachings."

Dr. Wolpert has been a member of the Catholic Medical Association for the last 10 years. The theme of this year's conference was Theology of the Body: The Dignity of Woman.

"Every year there will be one or two topics relating to women's health care, but this year it happened to be the whole theme," he said.

In addition to the presentation relating to contraceptives and breast cancer, the local doctor found several other topics helpful because they related to the spirituality of the practice of medicine.

One of his favorite presentations was given by Bishop Robert Baker who spoke on the Theology of the Body and the original unity of man and woman. Another powerful message was delivered by Bishop emeritus John F. Donoghue of Atlanta, addressing The Imitation of Our Lady's Virtues in the practice of medicine. The Sioux City doctor also liked the presentation on Deus Caritas Est by Bishop Robert Vasa, who is the medical association's episcopal advisor.

"The practice of medicine can be very difficult at times when we are dealing with end of life issues and major family crisis issues," said Dr. Wolpert. "You need to have a thorough grounding in your professional life academically and scientifically but also it is very helpful if someone understands reality as proposed by the Holy Mother Church."

He said the teachings of the mother church regarding contraceptives are in the best interest of the people and scientific basis - though often ignored - has reinforced the teachings of Humanae Vitae - that contraceptives are not in the best interest of mankind.

Dr. Wolpert urged people in the diocese who have some background in science to read publications such as the book by Chris Kahlenborn, MD, "Breast Cancer: It's Link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill" and from there, they can inform other members of their families.

The doctor acknowledged the complexity of this issue, but "too often we allow this important scientific information to be interpreted for us by possibly members of the medical industrial complex and ideological segments of the society that are not pro-family."