Buzz
A recent study has confirmed a connection between hormonal birth control methods—such as pills, the patch, implants, and certain IUDs—and breast cancer. Take a moment to digest that, then let's talk through the details.
The important takeaway here isn't that a link between the two has been discovered, but that the connection, first found decades ago, still holds true today, even with the lower hormone doses in modern contraceptive pills. For a clear explanation of the findings, I recommend checking out NPR’s coverage, especially the section on the level of risk we're really talking about:
The risk associated with hormonal contraception, according to
Mia Gaudet
, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society, is comparable to the increased breast cancer risk caused by a sedentary lifestyle, significant weight gain in adulthood, or consuming an average of one or more alcoholic drinks daily.
So, if you're not overly concerned about skipping gym sessions or having a nightly glass of wine, you probably don't need to worry about this too much either. But if you are a little worried, you may want to know that copper IUDs are hormone-free and are a great option for many people.
Here’s the thing: while hormonal birth control does increase your risk for breast cancer, it also lowers your risk for ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and possibly colorectal cancer. Overall, hormonal contraceptives appear to have either a neutral effect or a protective benefit on your general cancer risk.
