Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

January 12, 2004

Contact information

Minnesota Department of Health announces expansion of language in Women’s Right to Know Web site and brochure

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach today announced that MDH will expand the language included in the Women’s Right to Know Web site and brochure. The new language will reflect a recent study by the National Cancer Institute dealing with the possibility of a link between abortion and breast cancer, as well as the issue of when fetal pain occurs in gestational development.

“As a department, we have done our job in complying with the requirements of the Women’s Right to Know law passed by the legislature,” said Commissioner Mandernach. “The goal of the legislation, first and foremost, is that women are fully informed as they make a very weighty decision. The intent of the expansion of the Women’s Right to Know language is to provide even more information.”

Mandernach emphasized that statements that appeared earlier in the materials are accurate. “As we have gone through this process, we have heard from various stakeholders, particularly the Minnesota Medical Association,” said Commissioner Mandernach. “The MMA is a key partner that represents the physicians who are charged with implementing the legislation that was passed. We have taken their concerns very seriously, considering the very important nature of the patient-physician relationship.”

“We are pleased that the Minnesota Department of Health was willing to work with physicians to enhance the Women’s Right to Know Web site,” said Paul C. Matson, M.D., president of the Minnesota Medical Association. “The new language provides more information as well as links to the most recent scientific evidence.”

Gov. Pawlenty earlier asked Mandernach to meet with the MMA to more fully hear their concerns. Pawlenty said, “The information provided by the department must be accurate and supported by scientific research. I commend Commissioner Mandernach for her leadership and willingness to provide even better information.”

See attached expansion of language.

Long-Term Medical Risks

Cancer of the Breast: Findings from some studies have suggested there is an increased risk of breast cancer among women who had an abortion, while findings from other studies have suggested there is no increased risk. In March 2003, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released a consensus report finding no link between abortion and breast cancer. A summary of this report may be reviewed at http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report. A minority report disagreeing with the findings of the NCI report was also released in March 2003. A summary of this report may also be found at http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report.

Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer or who have clinical findings of breast disease should seek medical advice from their physician irrespective of their decision to become pregnant or have an abortion.

Fetal Pain
Some experts have concluded the unborn child feels physical pain after 20 weeks gestation. Other experts have concluded pain is felt later in gestational development. This issue may need further study.

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

John Stieger
MDH Communications
(651) 215-1301

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