MEDIA RELEASE: Fluoride & Bone Cancer
In light of recently revealed further evidence of links between fluoride and osteosarcoma (bone cancer), Fluoride Action
Network New Zealand (FANNZ) repeat their call for a moratorium on artificial water fluoridation issued last year.
Osteosarcoma is a very serious cancer and its incidence seems to be on the rise in New Zealand - as witnessed by the
recently publicised "cluster" in West Auckland where families of cancer victims asked the health authorities to
investigate potential causes . The connection between fluoride (which accumulates in bone and other calcifying tissue)
and bone cancer was examined in animals by the US National Toxicology Programme as far back as 1977. Subsequent
epidemiological studies have found that rates of osteosarcoma among young males living in fluoridated areas have been
found to be higher than young males living in unfluoridated areas. "Why is it then, that biopsied and amputated bone of
these cancer victims are STILL not being analysed for residual fluoride content?" asks Caren McConnell of FANNZ. "This
is yet another way the MOH can say they have "no evidence" of a relationship between fluoride and osteosarcoma - they
are quite simply not looking for any. If this attitude were applied to other areas of public health it would be called
Negligence, wouldn't it?".
In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised scientists to take NTP's finding seriously. According to the WHO:
"Such a (dose-dependent) trend associated with the occurrence of a rare tumour in the tissue in which fluoride is known
to accumulate cannot be casually dismissed." In addition to increased bone cancer, the NTP study also found increases in
rare liver cancers, oral cavity cancers and thyroid cancers among the fluoride-treated rats. "Not surprisingly," notes
Ms McConnell "fluoride analysis is not being conducted on any of these affected tissues either, so genuine doubts
remain". [Ref www.fluorideaction.net for details]
Furthermore, FANNZ applauds The Observer [article below] for having the gumption to bring the subject to the public's
attention, and challenges the New Zealand media to follow suit. Sadly, the NZ Ministry of Health repeatedly 'fails to
engage' with either the national lobby group, or the general public on this issue, preferring instead to issue arrogant
Statements, or to meet with local government officials behind closed doors. Cracks in the official facade are appearing
though, for example: paid pro-fluoridationist Martin Lee recently attempted to dismiss valid scientific concerns about
the practice by likening opponents to Al-Qaeda Terrorists. A desperate measure indeed!
To quote Dr. Arvid Carlsson - Phamacologist and Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine, 2000: "I am quite convinced
that water fluoridation, in a not-too-distant future, will be consigned to medical history."
ENDS