A British doctor is urging women who take the contraceptive pill to make sure they are aware of the risks of taking it, saying estimates show there will be eight extra cases of breast cancer for every 100,000 women who take the pill.
There is a link between the birth control pill and a certain type of cancer. PHOTO Shutterstock
A recent study has reignited the debate over the link between cancer and the birth control pill, as data shows a 598% increase in Google searches, according to Express.co.uk, which featured the views of GP Sabah Salman of LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
“The birth control pill is a type of hormonal contraceptive that comes in tablet form and is taken orally to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of birth control pills. The combined pill contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone and prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It also thickens the fluid around the cervix, preventing sperm from entering, and thins the uterine lining, reducing the chances of an egg attaching. As the name suggests, the progestin-only pill (not a general term that refers to any natural or synthetic substance that has similar effects to progesterone) or > contains only this substance. It works similarly to the hormone progesterone to prevent an egg from being released from the ovaries each cycle“, explains the doctor.
Breast cancer is rare in young women, who are most likely to take the pill, but even so, taking either the combined pill or the mini-pill slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, says Dr Sabah Salman:
“It is estimated that there will be eight extra cases of breast cancer for every 100,000 women who take the pill between the ages of 16 and 20, and 265 extra cases for every 100,000 women who take the pill between the ages of 35 and 39.”
What happens after stopping the pill
The doctor says the higher cancer risk only lasts while on the pill
“It’s important to note that the increased risk only lasts as long as someone is on the pill. After you stop taking it, the tendency slowly disappears. Although more research is certainly needed, early research suggests that taking the combined pill may be linked to a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer, with the risk increasing the longer you take the pill. However, ten years after stopping the pill, a person’s risk is no longer as high as if the pill had never been used”, says Dr. Sabah Salman.
The same pill, however, prevents other risks, in addition to cancer.
However, the doctor also specifies some possible benefits of taking these pills, in addition to avoiding an unwanted pregnancy
“Taking the pill can also reduce the risk of some cancers, such as bowel cancer. We know that taking the combined pill can reduce the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. This reduced risk remains even after you stop taking the combination pill. Some small studies suggest that the mini pill may also lower the risk of uterine cancer. However, more research is needed before we can say this definitively.”emphasizes Dr. Sabah Salman.
The doctor says that while it is true that these contraceptives can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer, it is important that each woman weighs these risks against the benefits of the pill:
“There are many different types of contraception available and I would recommend that you speak to your doctor who can help you make an informed decision about what is right for you, taking into account your family medical history.”
Sabah Salman reminds that it is important to know that there are other things that affect the risk of cancer more than the pill and that lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking less alcohol are more effective ways to reduce the risk of cancer.
