Study Even modern birth control pills increase the risk of breast cancer

Outweigh the disadvantages of taking birth control pills their benefits?

Today, there are modern birth control pills that contain less estrogen. Although these pills for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies have fewer side effects than previous oral contraceptives, they still seem to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This is especially true if they are applied in the long term.

The physicians at the Copenhagen University Hospital found that while modern birth control pills contain less estrogen and cause fewer side effects, they still moderately increase breast cancer risk, especially if used for long-term use. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "New England Journal of Medicine".

Many women use birth control pills for contraception. Physicians now stated that the use leads to an increased risk for the development of breast cancer. (Image: Wolfilser / fotolia.com)

Other hormonal contraceptives also increase breast cancer risk?

The use of so-called birth control pills leads to a moderate increase in the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the researchers, such an increased risk can not be ruled out in other hormonal contraceptives, such as plasters or implants.

Women should weigh the risks and benefits of taking the pill

However, the increased risk arising from the intake is only small, report the doctors. It amounts to an additional case of breast cancer among 7,700 women who use birth control pills as a contraceptive. The researchers said that women should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of taking the pill, including reducing the risk of other types of cancer. Hormonal contraception could still be considered a safe and effective family planning option, say the experts. However, women have other options for contraception, or they can talk to their partners about a vasectomy.

Actually, new contraceptives should lower the risk of breast cancer

Studies on older birth control pills found that while they reduce the risk of developing cancer in the uterus and ovaries, they also increase the risk of breast cancer. Actually, physicians were optimistic that the newer, low-dose contraceptives would lower the risk of breast cancer. However, the results of the current investigation have now nullified the hope.

Physicians are studying the data of 1.8 million women for their study

In total, about 140 million women use some form of hormonal contraception. For their study, the researchers analyzed the health records of a total of 1.8 million women in Denmark, all of whom were between the ages of 15 and 49 years. In Denmark, the National Health System enables the linking of large databases of prescriptions, cancer diagnoses and other information.

How high is the risk of breast cancer from taking birth control pills??

The current use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with an approximately 20 percent increased risk of breast cancer, the researchers say. This risk increases even more with prolonged use - from an increase in risk by about nine percent for use under one year to a 38 percent increase after use for more than ten years, explain the physicians.

No type of hormone contraceptive is risk-free

The doctors found no differences between the types of birth control pills. Due to the lower number of users, the results for the patch, the contraceptive ring, the implant and the progestin intake were less clear, the experts explain. Nevertheless, the current analysis did not rule out an increased risk of breast cancer for these methods. Unfortunately, no type of hormone contraceptive is risk-free, says study author Lina Morch of the Copenhagen University Hospital.

The physicians could not consider all known risk factors

Researchers considered the educational status, births and history of breast cancer in the family at work. However, they were unable to include other known risk factors for cancer, such as alcohol consumption and limited physical activity. But protective factors, such as breastfeeding, were not included in the study. (As)