Contraceptive pills have a dual, well-studied effect on cancer risk. But is that true, and should you completely stop taking these pills? Because birth control pills contain synthetic versions of these female hormones, they are said to potentially also increase cancer risk, moreover,.
These pills are hormone-containing medications that are taken orally to prevent pregnancy, according to the National Cancer Institute .
They can also help manage heavy periods, PCOS symptoms, and endometriosis. This risk is around 20-30%, but the absolute risk remains low, particularly in younger women. This extra risk diminishes with time and becomes normal 10 years after discontinuing the pills. ⦿ The protective side: Lastly, she added that contraceptive pills lower the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers by around 30% to 50%, and the protection can last for decades after stopping.
Therefore, contraception should be chosen based on an individual’s age, medical history, risk factors and reproductive plans, rather than cancer risk alone. ⦿ Breast cancer: According to Dr Anita, it has been seen that there is a relative increase in the risk of breast cancer among women taking combined hormonal pills.
Oral contraceptive use is associated with reduced risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers, and these protective effects can persist after discontinuation, according to Dr Dalal.
