
- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Definition (1)
- HER2-positive breast cancer: What is it?
Risk factors (1)
- Abortion and breast cancer: Is there a link?
Tests and diagnosis (3)
- Breast implants: Do they interfere with mammograms?
- Mammogram: Can it find cancer in dense breasts?
- Conflicting mammogram results: What should I do?
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Breast cancer radiation: Can it cause dry skin?
- Ginger for chemotherapy-induced nausea: Does it work?
Coping and support (1)
- Palliative care: Who is it for?
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get StartedQuestion
Abortion and breast cancer: Is there a link?
Is there a link between abortion and breast cancer?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
There's no credible evidence of a link between induced abortion and breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
A few studies in the early 1990s suggested a possible link. One large meta-analysis — an analysis of data compiled from multiple previous studies — reported that women who had one or more induced abortions were at increased risk of breast cancer. But this study has been widely criticized for flaws in its design that may have affected the conclusions.
Other more recent population-based studies have found no link between induced abortion and breast cancer. Population-based studies look at large groups of people to determine whether those who have a given condition have any common features that may account for that condition. This type of study is considered a more accurate way to examine such an issue.
Next question