Breast Cancer Deception by Sherrill Sellman/Beware of the Dark Side of Tamoxifen

[Guest guest]

http://www.innerself.com/Health/breast_cancer.htm

 

Breast Cancer Deception

by Sherrill Sellman

 

Every October since 1985, pink ribbons are displayed in posters, magazine

advertisements, and proudly adorn women's lapels heralding Breast Cancer

Awareness Month. The multitudes of runs, hikes, walks, and other fundraising

events raise hundred of millions of dollars to conquer that dreaded scourge

of the modern woman, breast cancer. High profile companies like Avon, Lee

Denim, and Revlon have joined ranks along with the Susan G. Komen

Foundation's " Race for the Cure " , and the City of Hope Hospital's " Walk for

Hope " . Popular celebrities lead the charge.

 

Each year, 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 44,000

will die of the disease. The US has one of the highest breast cancer rates

in the world. Fifty years ago the incidence of Breast Cancer for a woman's

lifetime risk was one in twenty. Now it has skyrocketed to one in eight.

Clearly the so-called war on cancer has not even made a dent in the breast

cancer epidemic as the rates continue to climb at the rate of one per cent

per year.

 

The motto of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is " Early Detection is Your Best

Protection " . The National Cancer Institute stated in 1995 that " Breast

cancer is simply not a preventable disease " . This tune was reiterated in

1997 by the American Cancer Society who also announced that " there are no

practical ways to prevent breast cancer -- only early detection. " 1 So

mammograms are the front line of defense. Celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell

offer free t-shirts with the honorable words " I've Been Squished " if you'll

make a date with your local x-ray department.

 

So let's all join in and wave our pink ribbons and don those running shoes

and take to the roads, right? Wait! Before you get swept up by the emotional

frenzy of this call to arms, there is something you should know.

 

Who Profits from Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer Awareness month's primary sponsor and mastermind of the event

in 1985 was Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, now known as AstraZeneca. Zeneca is the

company that manufactures the controversial and widely prescribed breast

cancer drug, Tamoxifen. Did you know all TV, radio, and print media

campaigns are paid for and must be approved by Zeneca.

 

It is less known that Zeneca also makes herbicides and fungicides. One of

their products, the organochlorine pesticide, Acetochlor is implicated as a

causal factor in breast cancer. Its Perry Ohio chemical plant is the third

largest source of potential cancer causing pollution in the U.S., spewing

53,000 pounds of recognized carcinogens into the air in 1996.2

 

Why The Breast Cancer Increase?

When it comes to environmental toxicity, carcinogens found in pesticides,

herbicides, plastics, and other toxic chemicals that are known to cause

cancer -- especially breast cancer -- there is booming silence by all Breast

Cancer Awareness Month programs. Did the alarming increase of breast cancer

rates just mysteriously happen? Or perhaps, the focus on the cure has

conveniently ignored the cause? After, all it wouldn't really be good PR for

Zeneca to have it known that their chemical products directly contribute to

the breast cancer epidemic.

 

Many experts predicted as far back as 30 years ago that cancer rates would

increase, citing an explosion of synthetic chemicals. From 1940 through the

early 1980's, production of synthetic chemicals increased by a factor of

350.

 

Billions of tons of toxic substances that never existed are now released

into the environment. Yet only 3 percent of the 75,000 chemicals in use have

been tested for safety.3 These toxic time bombs are found in our water, air,

and soil. Women who live near toxic waste dumps have 6.5 times the incidence

of breast cancer.

 

A survey conducted by Dr. Mary Wolff of Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York found

that women with breast cancer had four times the levels of DDE found in

non-carcinogenic tumors.4 Also, another study investigated why upper class

women in the community of Newton, Massachusetts had higher breast cancer

rates than the lower economic women.5 The researchers attributed the

increase to greater use of professional lawn care service and more dry

cleaning.

 

Pesticides & Breast Cancer

The pesticide breast cancer link was stunningly highlighted in research from

Israel which linked three organochlorine pesticides detected in dairy

products to an increase of 12 types of cancer in 10 different strains of

mice. After public outcry in 1978, the Israeli government was forced to ban

the pesticides Benzene Hexachloride, DDT, and Lindane. Interestingly, breast

cancer mortality rates which had increased every year for 25 years, dropped

nearly 8 per cent for all age groups and dropped more than a thirty-three

percent for women ages 25-34 in 1986.6

 

The American Cancer Society was founded with the support of the Rockefeller

family in 1913. Members of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry have

long had a place on its board. Could that have something to do with the fact

that the American Cancer Society's latest report on cancer prevention makes

no mention of environmental factors?

 

Continued on the next page:

Tamoxifen: Cure or Cause?;

Zeneca: Two Sides to the Coin;

Mammograms: Adding Injury to Insult!

Can We Do Anything?

Another article by Ms. Sellman:

Beware of the Dark Side of Tamoxifen

 

Sherrill Sellman's eight years of research

resulted in writing the book " Hormone Heresy:

What Women Must Know About Their Hormones. "

Continued from Part I

http://www.innerself.com/Health/breast_cancer_2.htm

 

Tamoxifen: Cure or Cause?

Since Zeneca researched and patented the most popular breast cancer

treatment, Tamoxifen, grossing 500 million dollars a year [Tamoxifen is

actually the generic name. The brand name is Nolvadex.], perhaps we can

forgive their involvement with carcinogenic chemicals... Perhaps not. On May

16th, 2000, the New York Times reported that the National Institute for

Environmental Health Sciences listed substances that are known to cause

cancer. Tamoxifen was included in that list!!7

 

It is known that Tamoxifen causes uterine cancer, liver cancer, and

gastro-intestinal cancer. After just two to three years of use, Tamoxifen

will increase the incidence of uterine cancer by two to three times. The

treatment for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy. In addition, Tamoxifen

increased the risk of strokes, blood clots, eye damage, menopausal symptoms,

and depression.

 

The biggest shock of all is the fact that Tamoxifen will increase the risk

of breast cancer! The journal Science published a study from Duke University

Medical Center in 1999 showing that after 2 - 5 years, Tamoxifen actually

initiated the growth of breast cancer!

 

Zeneca: Two Sides to the Coin

So, Zeneca, the originator of Breast Cancer Awareness month is the

manufacturer of carcinogenic petrochemicals, carcinogenic pollutants, and a

breast cancer drug that causes at least four different types of cancer in

women, including breast cancer. I ask you to stop and think, " Is something

wrong with this picture? "

 

So, since the Breast Cancer Awareness Month spin doctors claim that breast

cancer is " simply not a preventable disease " , the focus has shifted to the

theme of early detection. Women are now encouraged to get their early

mammogram. At one time, only women 50 years or older were told to get this

screening. Now the campaign is targeting 40 year olds and even women as

young as 25. However, detecting breast cancer with mammography does not

protect women from breast cancer.

 

Mammograms: Adding Injury to Insult!

More questions are being raised about the validity of mammograms. A

mammogram is an x-ray. The only acknowledged cause of cancer by the American

Cancer Society is from radiation. When it comes to radiation, there is no

safe level of exposure.

 

" There is clear evidence that the breast, particularly in premenopausal

women, is highly sensitive to radiation, with estimates of increased risk of

up to one percent for every RAD (radiation absorbed dose) unit of x-ray

exposure. Even for low dosage exposure of two RADs or less, this exposure

can add up quickly for women having an annual mammography, " notes Samuel

Epstein, M.D., Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the

University of Illinois School of Public Health. " More recent concern comes

from evidence that one percent of women, or over one million women in the

United States alone, carry a gene that increases their breast cancer risk

from radiation fourfold. " 8

 

In addition, mammography provides false tumor reports of between 5 and 15

percent of the time. False positive results cause women to be re-exposed to

additional X rays and create an environment of further stress, even possibly

leading to unneeded surgery.

 

" Furthermore, " says Dr. Epstein, " while there is a general consensus that

mammography improves early cancer detection and survival in post-menopausal

women, no such benefit is demonstrable for younger women. " Still, the

American Cancer Society recommends annual or biannual mammography for all

women ages forty to fifty-five or earlier.

 

" Mammograms increase the risk for developing breast cancer and raise the

risk of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth, " says Dr. Charles B.

Simone, a former clinical associate in immunology and pharmacology at the

National Cancer Institute. Safer and even more effective diagnostic

techniques like infrared thermography has been vigorously attacked by the

Breast Cancer Awareness organizations.9

 

It is also noteworthy to point out that General Electric, a major polluter

in PCB's in the Hudson River, N.Y. area, manufactures mammography machines.

 

So all the hullabaloo that comes each October, enlisting women's support and

hard-earned cash does nothing to really eliminate the cause of this

devastating disease. Instead, women's heart-felt desires and good intentions

to find the cause and cure are usurped by the hidden agendas of major

transnational corporations pushing their toxic drug treatments and

diagnostic tools that are shown to contribute to even more breast cancer. It

makes one wonder if the cancer establishment is really interested in a cure

at all.

 

Can We Do Anything?

Women can make a difference. The causes of cancer are already known. Toxic

diets, toxic lifestyles, toxic environments, toxic drug treatments, and

toxic diagnostic techniques cause cancer. Corporations are only interested

in increasing their profits and ensuring their tentacles of control, not in

actual solutions. When it comes to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women must

invest their time and money into projects, initiatives, and treatments that

will truly make a difference.

 

Perhaps it is time to turn in those pink ribbons.

 

References for this article:

 

Another article by Ms. Sellman:

Beware of the Dark Side of Tamoxifen

 

 

Beware of the Dark Side of

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

by Sherrill Sellman

 

 

 

There has been much ado in the press recently about the wonders of the drug

tamoxifen (nolvadex). It has been heralded as a major breakthrough in the

treatment and possible prevention of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is now the

number one recommended drug treatment for women recovering from breast

cancer. With half a billion dollars (US) in annual revenues1, it is

currently used by more women with breast cancer than any other prescription

drug.2

 

But as is the case with all pharmaceutical drugs, there are serious dangers

which seem to be conveniently glossed over. Far from the savior of women's

lives, it has potential lethal side-effects.

 

Despite tamoxifen's supposed ability to reduce recurrence in postmenopausal

women, major studies have shown that tamoxifen reduces death from breast

cancer only marginally.3, 4 The majority of women who take tamoxifen live no

longer than women who refuse it.5 It is with great alarm that researchers

are finding that some breast cancers actually learn how to use tamoxifen to

stimulate their growth.6

 

While the initial findings of tamoxifen's role in breast cancer treatment

seemed so promising, further research presented grave concerns for its

widespread use. In fact the Physicians Desk Reference lists 25 adverse

reactions to tamoxifen. Some can be fatal.

 

Menopausal Symptoms

Tamoxifen often induces menopausal symptoms in young women. About half of

the women experience hot flashes, fluid retention, weight gain, vaginal

discharge, and vaginal atrophy. Some studies have also found that

premenopausal users are at risk of developing accelerated bone mineral loss

and osteoporosis. Menstrual irregularities also occur in premenopausal

women. Amenorrhea ( absence of the menstrual cycle) often results and can be

permanent.

 

Eye Damage

Women using tamoxifen have experienced damaged retinas, increased corneal

opacities, and decreased visual acuity. Irreversible corneal and retinal

changes can also occur. These changes may predispose the eyes to later

problems including cataracts.

 

Blood Clots

Tamoxifen irritates the walls of the veins. The constant irritation and

inflammation weakens the veins causing bleeding, clotting, thrombophlebitis,

and in the worst cases -- obstruction of the blood vessels serving the lungs

which can be deadly and occur with little warning.7 Several studies showed

that the risk of developing life-threatening blood clots increased as much

as seven times in women taking tamoxifen.8

 

Psychological Symptoms

Depression has been reported as a potential side-effect of tamoxifen in 30%

of women. Cases have been reported of an inability to concentrate.

 

Asthma

Tamoxifen can trigger asthma attacks in some sensitive patients.

 

Vocal Cord Changes

Tamoxifen can also cause changes to the vocal cords resulting in impairment

of singing and speaking abilities.

 

Liver Cancer and Liver Disease

Tamoxifen is toxic to the liver and can cause acute hepatitis. The latest

human studies show a six-fold increase in liver cancer among women taking

tamoxifen for more than 2 years.9 Liver failure and tamoxifen-induced

hepatitis, although rare, have been reported. While Zeneca, the manufacturer

of tamoxifen admits that it is a liver carcinogen, it still continues to

aggressively promote its use.

 

Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

Uterine growths such as polyps, tumors, endometrial thickenings and cancers

occur in a significant number of women. One study detected abnormal

endometrial cells in subjects the day after the first tablet was taken!10

 

In a recent study, precancerous uterine and endometrial changes were seen in

10% of the women taking tamoxifen. The higher the dose of tamoxifen, and the

longer it is taken, the greater the risk of changes. Women taking the

standard dose for two years run the risk of uterine cancer that is 2 to 3

times greater than normal. After five years the risk is 6 to 8 times greater

than normal.11

 

In February 1996 a review composed of scientists from various countries

concluded " that there is sufficient evidence to regard tamoxifen as a human

carcinogen that increases a woman's risk of developing.... cancer of the

endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. " 12

 

When the news came out reporting that breast cancer patients who take

tamoxifen for five years or longer might have triple the risk of uterine

cancer13, many researcher said that " it's no big deal " since early detection

of endometrial cancer rarely results in death. That statement infuriated

critics who noted that the treatment for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy.

However, now it is known that breast cancer patients who develop uterine

cancer while using tamoxifen are likely to have a fast moving, lethal form

of the disease.14

 

In September 2000, The Lancet reported a study which showed that the drug

tamoxifen, often used to treat breast cancer and as a preventive in some

high risk women as well, increased the risk of developing endometrial

cancer. In addition, this risk increased with time, leading researchers to

question the use of the drug in healthy women. It found that women who took

tamoxifen for 2 to 5 years had twice the risk of the cancer as women who

have not taken it. Women who had taken it for 5 years or more have a seven

times higher risk of endometrial cancer. The total increased risk for all

women who used tamoxifen at all was 50%. Advanced endometrial cancers were

more common in women who had taken tamoxifen long-term than in those who had

not. The 3-year survival for endometrial cancer was " significantly worse "

for long-term tamoxifen users.

 

Gastrointestinal Cancer

It also should be noted that tamoxifen has also been associated with

gastrointestinal cancers.

http://www.innerself.com/Health/tamoxifen.htm

Continued on the next page:

* Breast Cancer Protection Revisited;

* Heart Disease and Osteoporosis;

* Tamoxifen: A Known Carcinogen;

* Alternatives to Tamoxifen;

* Solutions to the Breast Cancer Epidemic;

* Resources.

 

 

 

 

Beware of the Dark Side of

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)

by Sherrill Sellman

 

Continued from Part I

Breast Cancer Protection Revisited

The premise for taking tamoxifen is its supposed role in protecting breast

cancer patients from its recurrence. However, the benefits of tamoxifen are

limited. Virtually all women who take it become resistant within five years.

It was postulated that it prevented breast cancer from occurring in the

opposite breast, known as contralateral cancer. However, disturbing findings

continue to surface challenging tamoxifen's effectiveness. In 1992, the New

England Journal of Medicine showed that tamoxifen may reduce the incidence

of contralateral cancer but only in premenopausal women and only in three of

eight trials. In another 1992 study, tamoxifen not only failed to reduce

contralateral cancers in premenopausal women, it actually increased their

incidence.15

 

The shocking truth about tamoxifen's effect on breast cancer, appeared in a

recent study published in the journal, Science in July 1999. Researchers

acknowledged that tamoxifen eventually loses its effectiveness and then may

actually help some cancers to grow. Their clinical experience revealed that

after only two to five years, tamoxifen's supposed anti-estrogen fades and

estrogen-sensitive cancers begin to grow again thus increasing the risk of

breast and uterine cancers!

 

Heart Disease and Osteoporosis

The promise of tamoxifen was its supposed protective benefits to the heart

and bones. It was theorized that its estrogenic properties would help reduce

heart disease and osteoporosis in women but, once again, the theory crumbled

under the weight of hard facts. Several trials with tamoxifen failed to show

that it has any effect on bone density and thus on prevention of

osteoporosis. In three other trials, bone density increased slightly in

lower spinal vertebra but not in longer bones or hip bones which are

particularly susceptible to fractures and potentially fatal complications.

 

Initial data seemed to indicate that it decreased the incidence of heart

attacks. However, in January 1996, it was reported by the National Cancer

Institute that tamoxifen failed to prevent heart disease in breast cancer

patients.16

 

Tamoxifen: A Known Carcinogen

It wasn't long before laboratory studies showed that tamoxifen acted as a

carcinogen. It binds tightly and irreversibly to DNA, the genetic blueprint

of a cell causing a cancerous mutation to take place. No amount of tamoxifen

is safe when it comes to carcinogenic effects.

 

The irony of tamoxifen is that while widely publicized as the leading

treatment for the recurrence of breast cancer, it is, in fact, a known

carcinogenic substance. The World Health Organization, after reviewing the

existing information about the carcinogenicity of tamoxifen, found

unequivocal evidence confirming tamoxifen as human carcinogen.

 

On May 16, 2000, The New York Times printed an article, " U.S.. Report Adds

to List of Carcinogens " . It reported that National Institute for

Environmental Health Sciences listed 218 substances known or suspected to

cause cancer in people. Tamoxifen was included in that list.

 

Alternatives to Tamoxifen

While the cancer establishment continues to invest huge amounts of money

into research, manufacturing, and trialing of harmful drugs for the

prevention and hopeful cure of breast cancer, safe and effective options

already exist.17

 

There is convincing evidence that natural progesterone has an important role

in breast cancer treatment and prevention. A 1981 study revealed that when a

group with a low progesterone was compared with a normal progesterone group,

the incidence of breast cancer in the low progesterone group was over 80

percent greater than in the normal progesterone group.

 

In 1995, researchers found that women using a topical progesterone cream had

dramatically reduced cell multiplication rates of breast cell growth

compared to women using either a placebo or estrogen, demonstrating that

natural progesterone creams impressively decreased breast cell proliferation

rates.18

 

Lifestyle factors also play a significant role. Everyday exercise, both at

work and at leisure, reduces breast cancer risk. Women who exercised at

least four hours a week during leisure time were found to have a 37 percent

reduction in risk of breast cancer compared with sedentary women.19

 

It is now known that reducing caloric intake reduces estrogen levels. Recent

studies find 46 percent less breast cancer among women consuming more fruit

and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage,

and brussel sprouts. Eating organic foods, which eliminates the carcinogenic

pesticides and hormones, is essential. Women interested in preventing breast

cancer could make modest changes in diet and derive better and certainly

safer results.20

 

History continues to repeat itself. Time and time again woman have been

reassured that the wonder drugs or treatments offered them would be their

salvation only to discover they were knowingly exposed to harmful

carcinogenic chemicals. The warnings were drowned out by the glossy

advertising campaigns and the reassurances of " medical experts " .

 

Solutions to the Breast Cancer Epidemic

There are solutions to the breast cancer epidemic. However, they will be

found more by altering lifestyle -- as well as dietary, nutritional, and

stress factors, and reducing exposure to the many known toxic, carcinogenic

environmental pollutants -- than by some miraculous drug discovery. It is

also up to women not only to continue to become fully educated about safe

health options but to demand them from health providers. Too many women's

lives have already been maimed and sacrificed to unproven and unsafe drug

treatments.

 

It is widely believed that today's drugs are tomorrow's poisons. In the case

of tamoxifen, tomorrow has already arrived.

 

Resources:

The National Foundation for Alternative Medicine. 202-463-4900. Investigates

and recommends successful cancer clinics worldwide. www.nfam.org.

 

The Cancer Control Society: A referral service to clinics and practitioners

using successful alternative cancer treatments.

www.cancercontrolsociety.com.

 

Optimal Health Products: Offers Cruciflax, a natural alternative to

tamoxifen, which is a whole food supplement that eliminates toxic estrogen

metabolites from the body. www.blisscream.com. 888-641-2547.

 

Ralph Moss. Ph.D. is the author of 11 books and three documentaries

exploring successful alternative cancer treatments. He researches individual

reports on the most effective treatments for a particular kinds of cancer.

www.ralphmoss.com.

 

Footnotes and References:

 

Another article by Ms. Sellman: Breast Cancer Deception

 

 

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Sherrill Sellman's eight years of research

resulted in writing the book " Hormone Heresy:

What Women Must Know About Their Hormones. "

 

Info/Order this book

 

 

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http://www.innerself.com/Health/tamoxifen_2.htm

About The Author

 

SHERRILL SELLMAN is a psychotherapist, lecturer, and Women's Health

Educator. Sherrill actively writes for health magazines in over 12 different

countries and presents public and corporate lectures and trainings in

Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, and England. Sherrill offers a

Hormonal Balancing Coaching Program by phone consultation at (918) 437-1058.

For further info visit www.ssellman.com or email golight.

 

 

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