Contents:
- Medical Video: Can Birth Control Lower Cancer Risk?
- The link between the effect of KB pill and the risk of cancer
- What cancer risks can increase the effect of birth control pills?
- 1. Breast cancer
- 2. Cervical cancer
- 3. Liver cancer
- Cancer risk that can decrease after taking birth control pills
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
Medical Video: Can Birth Control Lower Cancer Risk?
Oral contraception, or more commonly called birth control pills, is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. Used perfectly, in the sense that it is consistently never overlooked and according to direction, the effectiveness of this pill can reach 99 percent. On the other hand, there are concerns about the risk of cancer as an effect of KB pills, in addition to other common side effects - such as weight gain and blood pressure. This article will examine thoroughly the effects of KB pills and their relation to cancer risk.
The link between the effect of KB pill and the risk of cancer
Birth control pills contain a synthetic version of two hormones produced naturally in a woman's body: estrogen and progestin. Both of these hormones regulate a woman's menstrual cycle. Therefore, fluctuating levels of these hormones play an important role in the occurrence of pregnancy. These contraceptive pills are available in two types, combination pills (containing progestins and estrogen) and mini pills (only progestins).
High levels of reproductive hormones have long been known as one of the risk factors for cancer in women. Regular use of KB pills can increase hormone levels in the body. From this comes the theory that the effects of KB pills can increase the risk of some types of cancer.
What cancer risks can increase the effect of birth control pills?
The risk of the following three types of cancer is known to increase as a side effect of using long-term birth control pills.
1. Breast cancer
Increased risk of breast cancer as an effect of KB pill occurs due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone which causes breast gland tissue to grow rapidly. This tissue growth can manifest as abnormal cells or tumors so that it may develop into cancer.
A study showed the risk of breast cancer in women who were or had taken birth control pills was found to be higher, especially if the duration of use had begun in adolescence. This risk is reported to decrease when usage is stopped.
On the other hand, too high levels of estrogen and progestin hormones are not always caused by birth control pills. This condition can also be caused by other factors, such as:
- Having menstruation too early
- Experiencing menopause at an older age
- First pregnancy at an older age
- Never give birth.
2. Cervical cancer
The risk of cervical cancer can increase with the duration of use of oral contraceptives. Regular consumption of birth control pills for five years or more is known to increase your risk of developing cervical cancer. It is not known exactly how the risk of cervical cancer increases in women who take oral contraceptives, but one possibility is its use which decreases the body's ability to fight infection human papillomavirus (HPV) for cervical cancer prevention.
However, this risk is reported to decrease when usage is stopped. The risk of cervical cancer in women who no longer take birth control pills for 10 years after the last dose will be the same as women who have never used oral contraception.
3. Liver cancer
The risk of liver cancer can increase as an effect of birth control pills, both in benign and malignant tumor versions.
Benign liver tumors caused by oral contraceptives namely hepatocellular adenoma Abnormal cells are characterized by swelling in the area of the liver that is torn and causes bleeding, but rarely develops into cancer. While how the effects of KB pills can cause malignant liver tumors named hepatocellular carcinoma not yet known for certain and the risk is only apparent when oral contraceptive use reaches a duration of about five years.
Cancer risk that can decrease after taking birth control pills
Although it is proven to increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer, some cancers are also reported to decline when women use birth control pills. Birth control pills show a protective effect on certain types of cancer, such as:
Ovarian cancer
Based on the results of the study, the use of birth control pills for at least one year can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by around 10 to 12 percent. The reduction in risk is also cumulative, where use for five years can reduce risk by 50 percent.
Even so, there is also the opposite opportunity found in a study, where women who have a BRCA1 genetic mutation can experience increased ovarian cancer when taking birth control pills.
Endometrial cancer
One study showed the risk of endometrial cancer decreases with the duration of use of oral contraceptives. These effects can also persist for a long time even though you have stopped using kB pills. In addition, the use of an IUD or spiral contraception is also known to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.
If you are unsure of the effects of birth control pills and your risk of cancer, consult your doctor before starting to use them. This is especially important if you have major risk factors such as family cancer and other factors such as lifestyle, diet, and certain health conditions that might affect your risk of cancer. Always consider the benefits and risks.
