ePillz.com - Pills May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Pills May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

October 31, 2006 - Mayo Clinic –

Recent analysis of the data from multiple studies, focused on evaluation of the breast cancer risk associated with oral birth control pills, showed that oral contraceptives, used by women before their first full-time pregnancy, increase the risk of breast cancer development by 44% in comparison to those women, who do not use oral pills.

The analysis was made by Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, a scientist from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. In general, data under analysis came from 34 previously conducted studies, focused on the impact of oral pills on the breast cancer. Among these studies, 23 clinical observations aimed at evaluating risk of breast cancer, associated with taking oral contraceptives by young women prior to their first full-time pregnancy.

Detailed data analysis and summarizing results showed that 21 of 23 studies proved that taking oral pills contributes to the development of breast cancer and showed 44% increase of the disease risk in those women, who used contraceptive pills before their first pregnancy. The increase of cancer risk was even greater (52%) in those women, who took oral contraceptives for four years or more before bearing their first child.

The obtained results should not be treated as the disqualification of the female oral contraceptives. The author of the said study underlined once more the necessity of informing women about potential threats, associated with pills use. It is especially important for young women before their first full-time pregnancy.

However, it should be mentioned here that the disputes about the impact of oral contraceptives on the development of breast cancer are not new and this issue is extremely controversial. For example, the latest edition of the Pill Book (The illustrated guide to the most-prescribed drugs in the United States) says that the risk of developing breast cancer is only slightly increased among the users of oral contraceptives. Besides, the risk declines slowly with time and disappears completely in 10 years after stopping the use of oral contraceptives.

Dr. Elizabeth B. Connell also advocates oral contraceptives in the book “The Contraception Sourcebook” and says that for the time being there is no indication that oral pills initiate the occurrence of breast cancers. Doctor appeals to the largest study in this field, conducted by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, which showed no statistically important increase of breast cancer risk among women, taking oral contraceptives.

On the other hand, Dr. Connell emphasizes the benefits of oral pills, which are not limited to pregnancy prevention only. Oral contraceptives are said to decrease the risks of many serious diseases, such as ovarian cancer and cysts, colorectal and endometrial cancer. Besides, it is a proven fact that oral pills help to treat certain menstrual problems in women, such as irregular menstruations and excessive bleeding.

Finally, taking into account the significant controversy of the possible connection between oral pills and breast cancer, the results of the recent analysis, made by Dr. Kahlenborn, seem to be just another statement in the discussion of the issue. Though, it can hardly become the final answer on whether oral contraceptives increase breast cancer risks or not.

Nick

External resources
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/129/117329.htm
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52585
http://www.polycarp.org/overviewbreastcanceroralcontraceptives.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Pill-Book-12th/dp/0553588923/sr=8-1/qid=1162478030/ref=...
http://www.amazon.com/Contraception-Sourcebook-Elizabeth-Connell/dp/073730403...