According to Samuel Epstein, author of "The Politics of Cancer,"  cancer
rates have increased because of increased use of synthetic chemicals.  The
primary sponsor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is AstraZeneca which
manufactures tamoxifen but also fungicides and herbicides.  Its chemical
plant in Ohio releases 53,000 pounds of known carcinogens into the air.  see
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/199909/cancer.asp

The American Cancer Society has had a long history of having the chemical
and
drug industry on its board.  An article in the Sierra Magazine called
Cancer,
Inc. by Sharon Batt & Liza Gross (web site above) is worth reading for an
understanding of why the American Cancer Society would never consider
suggesting breastfeeding as a preventative to breast cancer.

AstraZeneca which manufactures meds for cancer treatment also owns a chain
of
cancer treatment centers.  Dr Samuel Epstein is quoted in this article.  In
part he says, "You've got a company that's a spinoff of one of the world's
biggest manufacturers of carcinogenic chemicals, they've got control of
breast cancer treatment, they've got control of the
chemoprevention[studies],
and now they have control of cancer treatment in 11 centers-which are
clearly
going to be prescribing the drugs they manufacture."

Of further interest to breastfeeding advocates, this company seems to be
manufacturing a class of drugs that is directed related to research based on
human milk.  They have connections to pharming--production of human proteins
in cows.   This particular drug is targeted at tumor growth.  This drug is
considered to have the potential of $1 billion a year.  This is an example
of
how human milk research benefits the drug industry and leaves consumers
clueless.  The general public have no idea how important human milk is to
the
drug and formula industry.  Of course, promotion of breastfeeding is not in
their economic best interest because it is the product that has market value
(albeit genetically engineered but based on human milk research).  Valerie
W.
McClain, IBCLC

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