The increasing prevalence of breast cancer has been linked to various factors. A growing body of recent research has established a link between breast cancer and birth control pills.
The question of whether the use of birth control pills increases the risk of breast cancer has been a topic of ongoing debate.
Because most experts, including WHO, believe that the benefits of hormonal oral contraceptive pills far outweigh the risks associated with them, especially thrombosis and cancers.
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Benefits of birth control pills
Here are some of the benefits of hormonal birth control pills:
Highly effective:
When taken consistently and correctly, hormonal birth control pills are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Regulation of menstrual cycle:
Hormonal birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles, making periods more predictable and less painful for many individuals.
Reduced risk of certain cancers:
The use of hormonal birth control pills has been associated with a reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Treatment of certain medical conditions:
Hormonal birth control pills can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and menstrual migraines.
Convenience:
Hormonal birth control pills are easy to use and can be taken discreetly, making them a popular choice for many individuals.
Improved acne:
Some hormonal birth control pills can also help improve acne by regulating hormones that contribute to breakouts.
Non-invasive:
Unlike some other forms of birth control, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants, hormonal birth control pills do not require any invasive procedures.
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New Study Links Birth Control Pills to Breast Cancer Risk:
A recent meta-analysis has found an increased risk of breast cancer with the use of progestin-only and combined oral contraceptive pills [Ref].
This study looked at the medical records of almost 10,000 women under 50 years old with breast cancer and compared them to the records of over 18,000 women without breast cancer.
The researchers wanted to see if there was any link between hormonal birth control pills and breast cancer.
The researchers also looked at other studies and combined their findings to get a better understanding of the link between progestagen-only birth control pills and breast cancer.
The study was designed to see any association between hormonal birth control pills and breast cancer risk.
The study found that both women with breast cancer and those without had a similar rate of hormonal contraceptive use (around 40%). About half of the prescriptions were for progestagen-only preparations.
Progestin-only vs combined hormonal contraceptives:
They found that women who used progestagen-only birth control pills had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not use any hormonal birth control pills.
The risk was similar to that of combined hormonal birth control pills. However, the risk was negligible for women who started using hormonal birth control at a younger age.
The risk does not appear affected by how the contraceptive is delivered (like pills, injections, or IUDs).
Hormonal contraceptives use at different ages:
It was also observed in the study that aged women had a higher risk of breast cancer.
Age Group | Additional Breast Cancer Cases per 100,000 Users |
16-20 | 8 |
35-39 | 265 |
Note: The study estimated that the risk of breast cancer associated with 5 years of hormonal contraceptive use was 8 additional cases per 100,000 users for women aged 16-20 and 265 additional cases per 100,000 users for women aged 35-39 in high-income countries.
Breast cancer link with the type of contraceptive:
It was observed that the risk of breast cancer was higher if the woman had used any type of hormonal birth control pill in the past regardless of the type, including:
- combined oral contraceptives,
- progestagen-only pills,
- injected progestagen, or
- progestagen-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs).
The risk was similar for all types of hormonal contraceptives.
However, the study had some limitations. It only assessed the short-term associations between hormonal birth control pills and breast cancer risk.
Summary of the study linking breast cancer with hormonal contraceptives:
Topic | Information |
Purpose of the study | The study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the recent use of hormonal birth control pills and breast cancer risk, specifically for progestagen-only contraceptives. |
Methodology | A nested case-control study was conducted on almost 10,000 women aged <50 years with breast cancer, using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Odds ratios were calculated to determine the association between hormonal contraceptive use and breast cancer risk. Meta-analyses were also conducted to combine these findings with previous studies. |
Findings | Current or recent use of hormonal contraceptives, regardless of the type, was associated with a 20-30% increase in breast cancer risk. The absolute excess risk of breast cancer was estimated to be smaller for women who used contraceptives at younger ages. |
Implications | These findings suggest that while there is a slight increase in breast cancer risk associated with hormonal contraceptive use, the benefits of contraceptive use during reproductive years should also be considered. The long-term associations between birth control pill use and breast cancer risk have not been assessed. |
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Do Hormonal Contraceptives Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Until now, data linking breast cancer with birth control pills have been conflicting. Some studies have suggested that hormonal contraceptives, especially those containing both estrogen and progestin, may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
However, the increased risk is generally considered to be small and varies depending on the type of hormonal contraceptive used, the duration of use, and other factors such as age, family history, and lifestyle factors.
It is important to note that other factors such as age, family history, and lifestyle factors can also play a role in breast cancer risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a review of the available evidence on hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer risk and concluded that the overall risk of breast cancer in women using hormonal contraceptives is small, and the benefits of using hormonal contraceptives generally outweigh the potential risks.
It is important for women to discuss their individual risk factors and concerns with their healthcare provider before starting any form of hormonal contraception. Additionally, women should undergo regular self-examination and screening mammograms.
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Which hormonal Birth Control Pill Use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer?
Generally, combined oral contraceptives and progestin-only birth control pills are more likely associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
The risk of developing breast cancer is highest in women on birth control pills if the following factors are present:
Age and Duration of use:
The duration of the use of birth control pills is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. Similarly, women starting birth control pills at a younger age may be at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Family history:
Some women with a history of breast cancer in their immediate family members may be at a higher risk of developing the disease while taking birth control pills.
BRCA mutations:
Moreover, women who carry mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (which are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer) may be at a higher risk of developing the disease while taking birth control pills.
Hormone sensitivity:
Women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer may be at a higher risk of the disease worsening while taking birth control pills.
Other risk factors:
Other factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and obesity, may also increase the risk for women taking birth control pills.
The type of birth control pill:
There are different types of hormonal contraceptives used. The risk of developing breast cancer is highest with some of them. Here is a table of different types of birth control pills and their association with breast cancer:
Type of Hormonal Birth Control Pill | Association with Breast Cancer Risk |
Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) | Increased risk, especially with long-term use. The risk may return to normal after stopping it. |
Progestin-Only Pills (POPs) | Increased risk. |
Hormonal IUDs (Levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs) | No clear association with breast cancer risk. |
Depo-Provera Injection | Data is limited but there is an increased risk of breast cancer when used for a prolonged duration. |
Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing) | A slightly increased risk with long-term use. |
Transdermal Patch (Ortho Evra) | A slightly increased risk with long-term use. |
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Which type of hormonal birth control pill is the safest for a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer?
For a woman with a family history of breast cancer, the safest contraceptive is a non-hormonal contraceptive method such as a copper intrauterine device (IUD).
Here is a table demonstrating the different contraceptive methods and the associated risks of breast cancer:
Birth Control Method | Potential Risk of Breast Cancer |
Barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, etc.) | Safe |
Fertility Awareness-Based Methods | Safe |
Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD) | Safe |
Progestin-only pill | Low to moderate risk |
Combined hormonal methods (pill, patch, ring) | Moderate risk |
Depo-Provera (injectable progestin) | High risk |
Implant (progestin) | High risk |
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In Conclusion:
There is an increased risk of breast cancer in women who use hormonal birth control pills regardless of the type of contraceptive.
The risk is highest in women who are aged and those with a strong family history of breast cancer.