Myths about the incidence of birth control pills on breast cancer are increasing, but what do studies say about this risk and what effects does the pill have on other types of cancer? Read on!
With the current evidence we cannot conclude an association between the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and an increase in the overall risk of cancer. The use of COCs is a protective factor for ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancer.
The literature associates COCs during or with recent administration with an increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer, but when they are discontinued, the risk decreases until it disappears between two and five years later. The impact of the oncoprotective effect that persists for more than 30 years is considered greater than the temporary increase in risk assessed. For this reason, the net effect of COCs on cancer appears neutral or slightly protective.
The evidence on the association between the use of COCs and breast cancer is also contradictory. Many epidemiological studies do not demonstrate an increase in risk, and in those studies that did find an association between the two, the absolute risk was low.
A study measuring their impact found that COCs are associated with one additional case of breast cancer per 7,690 users per year. The magnitude of the relative risk of the association between current COC use and breast cancer is consistent when comparing current studies with older ones, with a relative risk of 1.2.
Therefore, current hormonal contraceptives with a lower dose of estrogen (microdoses) appear to have the same risk of breast cancer as older COCs. The risk of breast cancer in previous COC users who stopped using them decreases over time to reach a neutral effect, nor does their use appear to increase the risk of breast cancer in women with a higher initial risk, such as in the case of women with a family history of breast cancer, older premenopausal women or carriers of a BRCA genetic mutation. In this particular case, there is a protective effect on ovarian cancer.
From the Astorga Oncology Clinic we remind you that prevention and early detection are our best tools in the fight against breast cancer. By being informed and taking preventive measures, we can reduce the risk of this disease and lead a healthy and full life.
Astorga Oncology Clinic, always with you
Source: Santiago Escobar Gómez, mammologist.
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