Senator Eric Abetz denies suggesting link between abortions and breast cancer

Updated

Cabinet minister Eric Abetz has denied drawing a credible link between abortions and breast cancer, but he says the proponent of the theory is qualified and has a right to express her views.

The leader of the Government in the Senate has been criticised after speaking of the link on Channel Ten program The Project last night while discussing his involvement with the World Congress of Families event being held in Melbourne this month.

A spokesperson for Senator Abetz claims the pre-recorded interview was "heavily edited", but The Project says what went to air was an "accurate and honest representation of the conversation".

While appearing on the program, Senator Abetz was asked by panellist Mia Freedman whether he agrees with controversial American surgeon Dr Angela Lanfranchi, who promotes the theory that abortion can lead to breast cancer.

Freedman: "What about the fact that one of the speakers at this conference promotes the factually incorrect statement that abortion leads to breast cancer. Do you believe that?" Abetz: "I think the studies, and I think they date back from the 1950s, assert that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer." Freedman: "It is conclusively and scientifically incorrect in the same way that linking immunisations and autism are incorrect. So when this scientific non-information is being put out there, how can you be comfortable being part of something that promotes this non-science?" Abetz: "Well I don't know what your scientific expertise is to be able to run that commentary, I must confess I don't have that ... " Freedman: "It's not me. It's the Australian Medical Association." Abetz: "Well there are other organisations that have differing views as some of these speakers are clinical professors ... "

The Employment Minister has been corrected by Health Minister Peter Dutton, who says the medical evidence is clear.

"It is obvious there is no link between abortion and breast cancer. The medical evidence needs to be the driver in this area," he told reporters in Brisbane.

The country's peak medical body, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), says Dr Lanfranchi's theories are rubbish and has labelled Senator Abetz's comments irresponsible and ideological.

"I think he should stay out of these debates if you're quoting evidence from the 1950s, I think that's in line with the attitudes he's putting forward," AMA president Associate Professor Brian Owler said.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Cancer Council chief rejects link between breast cancer and abortions (ABC News)

"It's not the sort of thing that he should be putting out and certainly not the role a senior Government member should be taking on what is an important health issue.

"I think it's very dangerous when senior members of government get involved in these types of conferences and give credence to topics that have no scientific merit and which really can be dangerous in terms of the health of women."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who agrees the research has been thoroughly discredited, says he has spoken to Senator Abetz about the comments.

"I think he's a little sheepish about it all. And I don't think you'll find that kind of thing being said again," he said.

Senator Abetz - who is openly anti-abortion - denies he suggested a link between abortions and breast cancer, saying the body of medical opinion is clearly opposed to the idea.

"Let me make this point very, very clear: at no stage have I made a link between abortion and breast cancer," he said.

"There's a very simple reason I have never made such a claim, and that is I am not qualified to do so.

"I will leave that to the medical experts to determine as to what the body of opinion is."

The Project denies Abetz was 'taken out of context'

A spokesperson for Senator Abetz said the interview was pre-recorded and claimed it was "heavily edited".

The producers of The Project have released a statement confirming the interview was "pre-recorded and subsequently edited down due to time constraints".

"The Minister's position was not misrepresented or taken out of context in any way." the statement said.

"The Project stands by the interview that was broadcast, as an accurate and honest representation of the conversation that took place".

Panellist Freedman also denied the Senator was "cut off" on The Project, saying the only editing was for repetition in his answers.

She said Senator Abetz was given four to five opportunities to dismiss the link between abortion and breast cancer.

Dr Lanfranchi is scheduled to speak at the World Congress of Families.

Senator Abetz said he supported the broad aims of the conference but that did not mean he was endorsing the views of every speaker.

"I am not qualified to endorse or disendorse her views, other than to say that I accept that the overwhelming majority of medical opinion is against her views," he said.

"I accept that to be the case but I also accept that she has the right to express those views."

Mr Dutton said conference delegates do not have aligned views on all issues.

"All of us go to conferences regularly. I think it would be absurd to suggest you agree with everything that every contributor had to say. I think it would be ridiculous," Mr Dutton said.

The Breast Cancer Network Australia has moved to assure women that many studies show there is no proven link between breast cancer and abortion.

The network's chief executive, Maxine Morand, said it was odd to refer to studies from the 1950s.

"Why would you bring in a study that is so old when there is so much more recent evidence (and) consensus that there is no established link between abortion and breast cancer?" she said.

"These sort of discussions can cause harm to women, unnecessary harm and unnecessary concern about a link between abortion and breast cancer that simply doesn't exist."

Topics: abortion, reproduction-and-contraception, health, breast-cancer, federal-government, australia

First posted