I picked up the Tribune while visiting Milwaukee this past weekend. While I have not read the entire Vox controversy in previous days’ editions, I must take issue with statements made in the Nov. 20 Viewpoint by Dr. A.P. Szews and Margo Szews. The authors cite selective and inaccurate evidence for their positions, and argue from ideology rather than fact.

Third, the authors cite a book by Dr. Chris Kahlenborn that claims that abortion and use of the birth control pill use increase the risk of breast cancer. This is not a scientific fact. A June 27, 2003, article in the New England Journal of Medicine concludes: “Among women from 35 to 64 years of age, current or former oral-contraceptive use was not associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer.”

Finally, the authors decide to group all the things they dislike together and paint them with a broad, inaccurate brush, claiming that “contraception and abortion bring disease, infertility, emotional trauma and single motherhood.” They mask their disdain for abortion and contraception by suggesting that both cause cancer. It is fine to opposed abortion and contraception. However, the authors should state their real reasons, not hide behind unproven claims of cancer risk.

If the authors believe that sexual health services should not be offered, they should have simply stated this and rested their case. However, their attempts to find a rational basis for their claims fail, therefore their arguments are not a strong basis on which to oppose Vox.

Seigel is a Web developer in Madison, Wisconsin.