On Tuesday, May 11, 1999, Jane Brody wrote a biographical column that might very well become chapter one of her obituary. Brody is respected by many, and rejected by those who have followed her endorsement of MILK and DAIRY products.

Brody was the first to censure Dr. Spock who advised that no human should ever consume cow's milk. She waited until after his death to write her New York Times editorial, courageously ridiculing his vegetarian lifestyle when he no longer could respond.

JANE BRODY HAS BREAST CANCER

      Brody's 5/11/99 column chronicles her battle against breast cancer. First came the surgery, a lumpectomy. That invasive procedure was followed by six weeks of radiation. Her choice of words for the present and future treatment is curious.

"I have now begun the third and, in a way, the most exciting phase: five years of daily treatment with the drug tamoxifen."

LIVE BY THE PEN, DIE BY THE PEN

      Tamoxifen has become a death sentence for many women. Brody has previously written about this wonder drug, supporting its use as a preventative measure for women not yet diagnosed with breast cancer. We wonder why she so easily dismisses the fact that thousands of women who take tamoxifen later develop uterine or endometrial cancer.

TAMOXIFEN

      Tamoxifen was originally developed to counteract the strong growth proliferation initiated by the most powerful growth hormone in the human body, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).

REBOUND EFFECT

      Many hay fever sufferers understand the predicament of inhaling nose sprays. Use it too often and there is a rebound effect. What once works to relieve symptoms, ends up making the original problem worse. Tamoxifen works in much the same way. Tamoxifen users are warned not to continue its use for more than 18 months. Jane is excited that she is going to use it for five years. Sure, Jane. You should live so long!

WHAT HAS BRODY MISSED?

      IGF-I is the only hormone in nature that is identical between two species of animal. Human IGF-I and bovine IGF-I are identical. Both have 70 amino acids in the same exact gene sequence. For years, Brody has misled her female readers by endorsing the one substance outside of the human body containing enormous and inappropriate quantities of this powerful growth hormone.

HOW MANY WOMEN WILL DIE OF BREAST CANCER?

      Is it wise to take daily doses of this hormone? IGF-I has been identified as the key factor in the growth and proliferation of every breast cancer.

HOW COMMON IS BREAST CANCER? THE MISSING LINK

      On November 8, 1994, the New York Times published a story (written by Gina Kolata) which revealed:

Although 1 percent of women between the ages of 40 and 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer, autopsy studies reveal that 39 percent of women in that age group have breast cancer.

Cancerous tumors are the ones that have somehow thrown off the usually tight genetic controls on unwanted growth.

OUR APPEAL TO JANE BRODY

      IGF-I in MILK is the key factor in breast cancer's growth. By promoting milk and dairy products you increase the odds of increased levels of breast cancer in our society. A NOTMILK diet might very well save your life, Jane, and the lives of thousands of your readers.

GOT MILK?

      Every time you take a bite of cheese or treat yourself to a bowl of ice cream, you eat a powerful growth hormone. Yogurt is loaded with IGF-I, as is cream cheese and sour cream. MILK is a DEADLY POISON for you, Ms. Brody.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD BREAST CANCER?

      We know from Gina Kolata's brilliant article that breast cancer is VERY common. It always starts with one cell. In three months, that one cell divides and becomes two cells. Three months later, it's a four cell mass, continuing to grow and double every three months. After your first year, the breast cancer was only sixteen cells in size. Somewhere along your breast cancer timeline, your body might very well have controlled that breast cancer.

While thirty-nine percent of women between the ages of 40 and 50 have breast cancer, only one-percent in that age group are clinically diagnosed. Our immune systems have tight genetic controls. We stop it from growing. Nobody knows how this process occurs.

HOWEVER...

      It takes eight to ten years for a breast cancer to grow into a one million-cell tumor. This is traditionally the smallest lump a woman can feel in her breast. After that, the growth is rapid. Every three months it continues to double.

      Jane Brody's telephone voice does not leave the most pleasant of messages. Is it the breast cancer that delivers such an irascible and acrimonious missive, or is this "plain Jane" talking?

I called the New York Times at 212-556-1234 and reached Brody's voice mail. Here is a part of her message:

"If you have sent me something, do not leave a message calling my attention to it. That will only result in my throwing out the material without looking at it."

What a lovely attitude you have, Jane.

You know what? We're going to send you a copy of this column, because it might just save your life and we really do care. You know what else? We're going to follow the mailing up with a phone call in order to call your attention to our life-saving package.

THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE IS FOR CANCER

      Don't drink the milk, Jane. You end your column by giving the toll-free number of the National Cancer Institute hot line, 1-800-4-CANCER. We suggest you call our toll-free number: