Neb. priest contributes to article linking contraception, breast cancer

Lincoln, Neb., Jul 21, 2014 / 11:07 am

In an upcoming issue of The Linacre Quarterly, the official journal of the Catholic Medical Association, an article entitled, "The Breast Cancer Epidemic: 10 Facts," will explore the scientific evidence that connects artificial contraception to breast cancer.

Father Christopher Kubat, executive director of Catholic Social Services of southern Nebraska and a medical physician, is one of the co-authors. He was asked to contribute a small portion of the article by two of the main authors, A. Patrick Schneider II, M.D., M.P.H., and Christine Zainer, M.D.

Father Kubat became acquainted with Dr. Zainer when he was still practicing medicine in Milwaukee, before he entered the seminary. Drs. Schneider and Zainer also received contributions from Nancy K. Mullen, M.D. and Amberly K. Windisch, M.D.

"It was a collaborative effort that took considerable time," Father Kubat said. "It's very lengthy, and there are tons of references."

With one in eight U.S. woman diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, the article is addressing a crucial topic. Multiple medical studies have shown that women who use oral contraception experience an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

"The epidemiological data in the article is, for the most part, unknown to the general public," Father Kubat said. "That evidence has largely been suppressed and ignored. This article is an attempt to overcome this and bring it to light."

He added, "If one looks hard enough, they can find evidence in the medical literature between using chemical contraceptive drugs and having an abortion with breast cancer."

Father Kubat said that even in the recent news about Hobby Lobby's appeal to the Supreme Court to refrain from paying for four specific contraception options that cause abortion, there is a great deal of misunderstanding.

"The narrative suggests that some contraceptive drugs are not abortifacients and others are," he said. "Make no mistake; all contraceptive drugs have as one of their mechanisms of action the abortive dimension – all of them."

This article in The Linacre Quarterly also carefully provides the worldwide evidence for this link between an induced abortion and breast cancer.

"The recent increase in breast cancer began more than 40 years ago and was abrupt," he pointed out. "This is no accident."

Father Kubat said the article also will make it clear that "many of the cases of breast cancer in the world are preventable."

It frustrates Father Kubat that in society, physicians remain ignorant of the facts and contraception has become the "sacred cow that must not be sacrificed." He laments the heavy price that is being paid by the women who use it.

"This is the real war against women," he maintained.

Father Kubat said he hopes that people will read the article and learn the truth. In the meantime, he is available to talk to parishes, women's groups and anywhere else he is invited to discuss the medical evidence regarding contraception and female health. He can be reached at the Catholic Social Services office, (402) 474-1600.

Continuously published since 1934, The Linacre Quarterly is the oldest journal in existence dedicated to medical ethics. The Linacre Quarterly provides a forum in which faith and reason can be brought to bear on analyzing and resolving ethical issues in health care, with a particular focus on issues in clinical practice and research.


This article was originally published in the Lincoln, Neb., diocesan paper, the Southern Nebraska Register. Reprinted here with permission.