Fact Sheets | National Women's Health Network

Fact Sheets

Title
Abortion and Breast Cancer	The Problem Opponents of reproductive choice have been attempting to frighten women in recent years by touting a medically unsupported link between abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer. Despite evidence to the contrary and lack of support for the claim from research scientists and breast cancer activists, anti-choice organizations have been trying to disseminate the message to women through advertising campaigns, so-called informed consent laws, and even through the National Cancer Institute. Research Findings
Affordable Health Coverage for All Americans	The Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate recently released “Expanding Health Care Coverage: Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans,” which describes various policy options for providing affordable health care coverage to all Americans. The document outlines ideas being discussed to shape a new legislative proposal on health reform that would be introduced in the Senate by early June.
Affordable Health Coverage for All Americans	Senate Finance Committee Options to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans Response from Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need
Cervical Cancer and Pap Smears	See also our fact sheet on Vaccines for HPV and Cervical Cancer
Depo Provera and Bone Mineral Density	Women's health advocates have raised concerns about the safety of Depo-Provera for decades. Over time, research has laid to rest some but not all of the questions about the effects of this drug. One positive finding has been that, despite concerns based on animal studies, there is accumulating evidence that Depo does not increase women's risk of breast cancer. [1]
Fast Facts on Generic Drugs	This factsheet was written in collaboration with PharmedOUT, an independent, publicly funded project that empowers physicians to identify and counter inappropriate pharmaceutical promotion practices. PharmedOut promotes evidence-based medicine by providing news, resources, and links to pharma-free Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses. The factsheet on generic drugs can be found here.
Fibroids	What are fibroids? Common name: Uterine Fibroids Medical name: Uterine Leiomyomata (pronounced you-ter-in lie-oh-my-oh-mah-tah)
Herbs and Phytoestrogens	Many women, concerned about the health risks of synthetic hormones in conventional hormone therapy, are looking for natural alternatives. It's very important to know that products are not necessarily safe just because they're natural. The same questions we ask about drugs need to be answered for alternative therapies too: what is the specific reason to take it? Are there studies showing that it's effective for the recommended purpose? What are the risks associated with it?
Hot Flashes	Hot flashes are arguably the single symptom of menopause that aggravates women the most. And treating hot flashes is the only use of hormones that does not have a well-proven alternative. Some women never have hot flashes. Others have mild or infrequent flashes. The worst sufferers experience dozens of hot flashes each day. Severe hot flashes can make it difficult to get a full night's sleep which in turn can affect mood, concentration, and cause other physical problems.
Hysterectomy	Hysterectomy in the United States: Facts and Figures