GENEVA - Women who take the birth control pill could increase their risk of cervical and breast cancer, scientists said last Friday.
A review of research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, part of the World Health Organization, concluded that oral contraceptives protected against some types of cancer but might trigger others.
Previously, liver cancer was indicated as a risk for women who take the pill, IARC said. But the latest research shows cervical and breast cancers are also possible risks.
“This new information about cancer risks—and also protection against cancer in the case of oral contraceptives—makes it important that each woman who uses these hormonal products discuss the risks and benefits with her doctor,” IARC said in a statement. At the same time, the IARC working group of 21 scientists elevated the warning on hormonal menopausal therapy to “carcinogenic” from “possibly carcinogenic.”
The scientists concluded, based on an expanded study, that “combined menopausal therapy” increased the risk of breast cancer and in some cases endometrial cancer.
Worldwide, around 100 million women use oral contraceptives. In addition, around 20 million women in developed countries had used hormonal menopausal therapy.
Feeds