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

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