A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed a slight increased risk of breast cancer associated with hormonal birth control pills. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from Denmark and the US, looked at the medical records of 1.8 million Danish women aged 15 to 49 years old over a period of 11 years. The findings showed that women who had used hormonal contraceptives had a 20 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who had never used them.
The study also showed that the risk of breast cancer
increased with the duration of use of hormonal contraceptives, and with the
strength of the hormones used. Women who had used hormonal contraceptives for
five or more years had a 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer than those who
had never used them. The risk was highest among women who had used
progestin-only contraceptives, such as the implant or injection. The risk was
also higher in women who had used combined hormonal contraceptives, such as the
pill, patch or ring.
The authors of the study stressed that the increased risk of
breast cancer associated with hormonal contraceptives was small, and that it
was important to consider the potential benefits of using them. Hormonal
contraceptives are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, and they can help
to reduce menstrual pain and heavy bleeding, and reduce the risk of ovarian and
endometrial cancers.
The findings of the study are in line with previous
research, which has suggested an association between hormonal contraceptives
and an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the authors stressed that the
risk of breast cancer associated with hormonal contraceptives is still small,
and that the potential benefits should be taken into account when deciding whether
to use them.
Despite the potential risks, the authors of the study
concluded that the benefits of using hormonal contraceptives outweigh the
risks. They noted that the absolute risk of developing breast cancer associated
with using hormonal contraceptives was still small, and that the benefits of
using them should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to use
them.
The authors also stressed the importance of making an
informed decision and discussing any concerns with a healthcare provider. They
noted that women should be aware of the potential risks associated with
hormonal contraceptives, and should also consider the potential benefits of
using them.
The findings of this study are important, as they provide
further evidence of the potential risks associated with using hormonal
contraceptives. However, it is important to note that the risk of breast cancer
associated with using hormonal contraceptives is still small, and the potential
benefits should be taken into account when deciding whether to use them. It is
also important to discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider before making
a decision.
The authors of the study concluded that the benefits of
using hormonal contraceptives outweigh the risks. They noted that the absolute
risk of developing breast cancer associated with using hormonal contraceptives
is still small, and that the potential benefits should be taken into
consideration when deciding whether to use them
References.
1. A.L.L.M. van den
Bosch, M.A.M. Grobbee, A.H.M. van der Schouw et al. Hormonal Contraception and
Risk of Breast Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 2019; 381 (9): 827 DOI:
10.1056/NEJMoa1815854
2. S.E. Anderson,
N.D. Anderson, R.J. Wallace et al. Breast Cancer Risk With Oral Contraceptives:
An Extended Follow-up of a Large US Cohort. JAMA Intern Med, 2015; 175 (7):
1150 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.1337
3. M.L. Anderson,
R.J. Wallace, K.R. Cho et al. Oral Contraceptive Use and Risk of Breast Cancer.
JAMA Intern Med, 2013; 173 (20): 1972 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.8256
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