Magic Statistics

If the only available doctors are male, some Muslim men would prefer their female relatives not be treated at all.

Male gynaecologists are being targeted by Islamic extremists in Iraq as they are accused of invading the privacy of women. Women's NGOs have raised concerns as there are few women gynaecologists in the country and their male counterparts are scared to continue working.

"Because of the extremists' religious views, doctors are scared to continue with their work and the number of women gynaecologists is very low and cannot meet the demand," said Mayada Zuhair, spokeswoman for the Women' Rights Association (WRA).

"Extremists say that [male] doctors are not allowed to see the private parts of women and two male doctors were reportedly killed last week after leaving their clinics. A message was left near their bodies saying that was the end for any doctor who insists in invading the privacy of Muslim women," Mayada added.

Dozens of male gynaecologists have received threatening letters.  The son of one was kidnapped and released only after the doctor closed his clinic.

According to a spokesman for the Iraqi Medical Association (IMA), Muslims in northern Iraq have killed doctors who refused to mutilate little girls.

"[W]e can confirm that four doctors were killed in the north for refusing to circumcise young girls."

The predictable result of all this idiocy: A shortage of doctors is severely compromising health care in Iraq.

According to the IMA, at least 75 percent of doctors, pharmacists and nurses have left their jobs at universities, clinics and hospitals. Of these, at least 55 percent have fled abroad.

I wonder why.

Previous related posts:

• Muslim bars doctor from operating room
• Women forced to leave seminar on Islamic medical ethics
• The “Talibanisation” of Iraq

Mainstream media are mostly ignoring the latest investigation into the increasing incidence of breast cancer.  The insurance industry, on the other hand, is not.  The November issue of The Actuary, a British magazine published for the actuarial profession, includes a summary article by statistician and actuary Patrick Carroll, who concludes that abortion is the best predictor of breast cancer.

The incidence of breast cancer has increased since the 1970s by an average of about 80% across all ages in Great Britain.

Mr Carroll lists seven factors that appear to be driving the upward trend in breast cancer:

• Abortion: Most British abortions (53%) are nulliparous and the subsequent breast cancer risk is greater here.
• Age at first birth: A low age is protective, as made known by British epidemiologists.
• Childlessness increases the risk: Nuns have long been known to have a higher risk of breast cancer.
• Fertility: More children increase protection.
• Breast-feeding: This gives additional protection, now estimated by British epidemiologists.
• Hormonal contraceptives: These contain oestrogen and progestin, and are conducive to breast cancer.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This contains female hormones and is likewise conducive to breast cancer.

Another suggestive observation is that, unlike other cancers, the incidence of breast cancer is highest among upper-class women.

h/t: LifeSite

Previous related posts:

• Abortion report shaped by ideological and financial interests: British MP
• Anti-abortion judge sworn in; liberals apoplectic
• Abortion in the UK: Safe, legal, and common

UPDATE (17 Nov.): After reading criticism of this study and giving it more thought, I have to backtrack.  I have removed the chart and some text.  I think the study raises important questions and points to avenues for further research, but problems with data quality and methodology render it inconclusive on its own.

The collect for today, the commemoration of Charles Simeon (1759-1836), Priest, Evangelical Divine (source):

Eternal God, who raised up Charles Simeon to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and inspire your people in service and mission: Grant that we with all your Church may worship the Saviour, turn in sorrow from our sins and walk in the way of holiness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Charles Simeon served as vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, from 1782 until his death. His zealous evangelical preaching was bitterly opposed by parish leaders, but proved immensely popular and influential among Cambridge undergraduates.  He supported the British and Foreign Bible Society and helped to found the Church Missionary Society.  His curate Henry Martyn became chaplain of the East India Company and one of India's best-known missionaries.

Historian Lord Macaulay wrote of him, "If you knew what his authority and influence were, and how they extended from Cambridge to the most remote corners of England, you would allow that his real sway in the Church was far greater than that of any primate."

A meditation on the life of Charles Simeon, by John Piper, is posted here.