All hormonal contraception like ‘the pill’ can still increase breast cancer risks

It has been reportedly known for a while that forms of hormonal contraception like ‘the pill’ have been linked with increased risks of women developing breast cancer. However, despite hopes of improvements, a new study involving millions of women over a period of years has reaffirmed the apparent risks associated with contraception and cancer.

Studies have found that the increased risks of breast cancer can remain until five years after hormonal contraception has been stopped as well.

The links and the chances have been determined as small and as nothing new. That being said, many had hoped that new forms of hormonal contraception and advances in medical science could lead to better results.

The study in the New England Journal of Medical Science has instead confirmed an added 20% risk that women run by using such hormonal contraception.

The study suggests that there would be one extra case in every 1,500 women.

What does this mean for the future?

All medical device and drug manufacturers have a duty to inform users of the risks of using the products they supply. In addition, doctors and medical professionals have the same duty to ensure information is properly relayed as well.

It seems that this new study isn’t necessarily revealing anything new other than that the risks remain. The scale of the study was large, and we can only hope that developments will allow for these risks to be eradicated.

For the time being, it is clear that women who use hormonal contraception need proper and comprehensive advice about the risks of taking ‘the pill’ and similar products. This includes the increased risks of cancer currently associated with hormonal contraception.

For now, all we can do is advise patients and hope that there will be sufficient advances in medical science to produce better results in the future.