Birth control pills have been a popular contraceptive method over the years. Millions of women worldwide use birth control pills to prevent unwanted pregnancies, regulate menstrual cycles and treat hormonal imbalances.

While there are many benefits to using birth control pills, there have been concerns raised about a potential link between their use and the incidence of breast cancer.

What are birth control pills?

Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, contain hormones that work to prevent pregnancy. The two main types of hormones found in most birth control pills are estrogen and progestin.

These hormones work by preventing ovulation, which is the release of eggs from the ovaries. Additionally, birth control pills also help to thicken the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.

How common is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affect women.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million new cases diagnosed in 2018 alone. In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, with an estimated 276,480 new cases diagnosed in 2020.

What is the link between birth control pills and breast cancer?

Researchers have been studying the link between birth control pills and breast cancer for several decades.

While some studies have shown no significant increase in breast cancer risk among women who use birth control pills, others have found a small but statistically significant increase in risk.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1989 found that women who had used birth control pills for 10 or more years had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who had never used them.

This risk was most pronounced among women who started taking birth control pills before the age of 20.

More recent studies have also linked birth control pill use with a higher incidence of breast cancer.

A study published in the journal Cancer Research in 2017 found that women who used birth control pills containing high doses of estrogen were at a 50% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who had never used them.

Does the type of birth control pill matter?

While all birth control pills contain hormones, the type of hormones and the doses used vary depending on the brand and type of pill. Some birth control pills contain only progestin, while others contain both estrogen and progestin.

The dose of hormones can also vary between pills.

Several studies have found that the type of birth control pill can affect a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

For example, a study published in the Lancet Oncology in 2019 found that women who used birth control pills containing high doses of estrogen were at a higher risk of breast cancer than those who used pills containing lower doses of estrogen.

Another study published in the journal Contraception in 2018 found that women who used birth control pills containing drospirenone, a type of progestin, were at a slightly higher risk of breast cancer compared to those who used pills containing other types of progestin.

What other factors can increase the risk of breast cancer?

While the use of birth control pills has been linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer, it is important to note that there are many other factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Some of these risk factors include:.

Family history of breast cancer
Age – the risk of breast cancer increases as women get older
Early onset of menstruation or late onset of menopause
Being overweight or obese
Drinking alcohol
Not having children or having children later in life

What should women who use birth control pills do?

For women who use birth control pills, it is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their healthcare provider.

While birth control pills have been linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer, they also offer many benefits, including reducing the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Women who are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease, may want to consider alternative methods of contraception.

These methods include condoms, diaphragms, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) that do not contain hormones.

Additionally, women who use birth control pills should also engage in other strategies that can help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

These strategies include eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and getting regular breast cancer screenings.