Birth control pills and cancer: Benefits and Risks

Women we have received many rumors about birth control pills . On the one hand, it is said to increase the risk of breast cancer and cervix. But on the other hand, claim that they prevent cancer of the ovaries. What can you believe? In Life and Health says you explain what the scientific world on the pill and its effects on cancer.

The debate about the possible effects of birth control pills on cancer has been long and continue. This is what we have learned from the investigations that have been carried out so far ...

The benefits

Let us begin with the good news, which is also the best proven: birth control pills protect you from ovarian cancer . Scientific evidence shows that birth control pills reduce the risk of ovarian between 30% and 50% cancer. The longer you take them , the greater the protection that can last up to 30 years after you stop taking them.

Another study reported that birth control pills can also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer . The research found that women taking birth control pills had 20% less risk of developing this cancer than those who had never been taken.

The risks

As for the risks of other cancers when taking birth control pills, there is still no conclusive evidence. So far some studies suggest that taking them for long periods increases the risk of developing breast cancer and cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) .

Let 's first cervical cancer ... according to researchers in France, women who take birth control pills for a long time (more than 5 or 10 years) increase their risk of developing it . But making the checks Pap regularly with early detection, this is curable.

As for breast cancer, it is a bit more confusing. Some studies suggest that there is a relationship between the pill and breast cancer. One found that the pills increased the risk of breast cancer in women who took the pill for four years or more before becoming pregnant. But this was only true when it came to pills with high doses of estrogen. In contrast, another study documented that after 10 years without taking the pills, the risk of developing breast cancer again be the same as those of women who have never taken pills. Although the risks are greater if you have more than 45 years.

However, a study by the Women's CARE between 1994 and 2010, found no evidence that birth control pills increase the risk of breast cancer or women who were taking, or in women who had used previously.

Why are there such different results? Apparently has to do with hormonal birth control pills composition has changed over time and before containing higher doses of estrogen, the main suspected of increasing the risks of breast cancer. So the results of the studies vary depending on the date of the studies. Specifically:

1. pills with high doses of estrogen doubled the risk of breast cancer
2. pills with ethynodiol diacetate (a type of progestin) also doubled the risk of breast cancer
3. pills combined with an average dose of 0.75 mg of northindrone (a type of progestin) trebled the risk of breast cancer
4. other types of birth control pills, including those containing a low dose of estrogen, were not linked to an increase in breast cancer.

Because the studies that have been done over the years, today have been adjusted doses and pills are much safer.

So yes or no?

Despite the findings and confusion, most experts argue that taking birth control pills worth because the benefits outweigh the risks. While the risk of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer disappear when you stop taking the pills, the effects of protection against cancer of the ovaries remain for 30 years.

But if there are exceptions. Do not take birth control pills if:

1. You have a family history with multiple cases of breast cancer
2. you had breast biopsies have identified abnormal cells
3. you or someone in your family has an abnormal gene for breast cancer ( such as BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 )

And any woman who has had breast cancer should take birth control pills or hormones.

Outside of these very specific case, the pill is considered safe.

Anyway, check with your obstetrician before taking birth control pills and discusses the pros and cons, especially if there is a history of cancer in your family and whether or not advisable for you according to your medical history. Remember there other options to prevent pregnancy .

Before taking the pill, it takes precautions! Also, remember that does not give you protection against sexually transmitted diseases  (STDs) and the first month are not protected. Good luck!