ReachMDFinnish Registry Study Finds No Link Between Abortion, Miscarriage, and Breast Cancer Risk

A nationwide Finnish registry study of 31,687 breast cancer cases found no association between induced abortion or miscarriage and breast cancer risk — pre- or postmenopausal — regardless of the number of events or age at occurrence.

🔬 Clinical Considerations

• Odds ratios for induced abortion were 1.01 (premenopausal) and 0.96 (postmenopausal) — statistically indistinguishable from no effect
• Miscarriage showed identical findings: ORs of 1.02 and 0.93 for pre- and postmenopausal women respectively
• Risk did not increase with multiple abortions or miscarriages, directly refuting dose-response arguments
• Some US state counseling materials still incorrectly link abortion to breast cancer risk, making these findings clinically urgent

🎯 Practice Applications

• Reassure patients that neither abortion nor miscarriage increases breast cancer risk
• Correct any misinformation patients encounter in state-mandated counseling materials
• Document counseling provided to patients concerned about reproductive history and cancer risk
• Cite this registry-level evidence when addressing patient or family concerns about abortion and cancer

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