Progestogen-only pill carries SAME 20% heightened risk of breast cancer as ... trends now

Progestogen-only pill carries SAME 20% heightened risk of breast cancer as ... trends now
Progestogen-only pill carries SAME 20% heightened risk of breast cancer as ... trends now

Progestogen-only pill carries SAME 20% heightened risk of breast cancer as ... trends now

A newer type of contraceptive pill that has boomed in popularity in recent years carries the same risk of breast cancer compared to a more traditional version, a study suggests.

Historically, most women favoured a 'combined' contraceptive pill that contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

In the last few decades however, more have opted for a pill which just contains progestogen - with prescriptions for the two different types now on par.

Now, a new study reveals the progestogen-only pill carries the same increased risk for breast cancer as its older equivalent.

Historically, most women favoured a ‘combined’ contraceptive pill that contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. But now prescription for the progestogen only pill are on par

Historically, most women favoured a 'combined' contraceptive pill that contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. But now prescription for the progestogen only pill are on par 

Previous research has shown that women who are using, or who have recently stopped taking, the combined contraceptive pill have around a 20 per cent increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who don't take it.

A team from the University of Oxford analysed data from more than 9,000 women who developed invasive breast cancer between the ages of 20 to 49, and 18,000 closely-matched women who did not develop the disease.

Analysis revealed those who were taking, or had recently stopped taking, the newer progestogen-only pill also had a 20 to 30 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.

However this effect appeared to wear off once women had ceased use, with no excess risk 10 years after they stopped taking the contraceptives.

Their findings were also applicable to both types of hormonal contraceptive taken in any form – whether that be an injection or implant.

WHAT METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE? 

Contraception aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can get pregnant if a man's sperm reaches one of her eggs. 

Contraception tries to stop this happening by keeping the egg and sperm apart, by stopping egg production or by stopping the combined sperm and egg attaching to the lining of the womb. 

Contraception is free for most people in the UK. The options available include:

caps or diaphragms  combined pill  condoms contraceptive implant  contraceptive injection  contraceptive patch  female condoms  IUD (intrauterine device or coil)  IUS (intrauterine system or hormonal coil)  natural family planning  (fertility awareness) progestogen-only pill  vaginal ring

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The team said their research, published in the journal Plos Medicine, helps 'fill a gap' in the knowledge about associated risks with taking hormonal contraceptives.

But they said these risks must be weighed against the well-known benefits of taking them.

Gillian Reeves, Professor of statistical epidemiology and director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, said: 'I don't really see that there's any indication here to say that women need to

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