How contraceptive pills 'raise breast cancer risk by 50%'

A study suggests that high-oestrogen contraceptive pills could raise breast cancer by 50%.

17:23 01 August 2014

An American study has found that some birth control pills, particularly those that have high-oestrogen, may temporarily increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

The study, which was participated by 1,100 cancer patients, revealed that women who, in the past year, had taken contraceptive pills which had moderate or high does of oestrogen, as well as those containing certain other hormones, are twice likely to get breast cancer.

However, experts added that the increased risk of breast cancer will disappear within 10 years of coming off the pill.

Dr Caroline Dalton, senior policy officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “Levels of oestrogen in the combined pill have decreased over the past 30 years. Whilst the researchers state that these findings require further investigation, we are a little closer to finding out whether or not newer, lower-dose pills are associated with the same risk as the higher-dose formulations more commonly used in the past.”

“However, it is important to note that breast cancer is rare in women under the age of 40, regardless of whether or not they use the contraceptive pill. In addition, 10 years after coming off the pill any increased risk will have disappeared leaving the chance of developing breast cancer at around the same level as those who’ve never taken the pill.”