Hormonal contraceptives linked to increased breast cancer risk, study finds
The IndependentSign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Any type of hormonal contraceptive may increase the risk of breast cancer, new research suggests Overall, the absolute excess risk of developing breast cancer over a 15-year period in women with five years of use ranged from eight in 100,000 women for use from age 16 to 20 to 265 in 100,000 for use from age 35 to 39. In 2018, one study identified a 50% increased breast cancer risk amongst participants who had started taking a combined oral contraceptive pill within the last 12 months. “We’ve known for many years that combined oral contraceptives, which women have been using for decades, also have an effect on breast cancer risk, a small increase in risk which is transient. “I suspect that if women were prepared to accept those risks in the past, in return for the many benefits of taking hormonal contraceptives, then they may well be prepared to carry on doing that.” open image in gallery A radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer Meanwhile, Breast Cancer Now notes that the study did not factor in whether a family history of the disease contributed to risk levels amongst participants.