HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES COULD BE INCREASING THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER — BY AS MUCH AS DRINKING ALCOHOL

A new study out of Denmark suggests that women who use hormonal contraception — pills, IUDs or patches — have up to a 38% higher risk of developing breast cancer if they have been using birth control for a long period of time. The study analysed 10 years’ worth of data to come to this dismal conclusion. According to the study, the risk for women using contraception for about a year has a relative risk of just 9% for developing breast cancer. The scientists speculate that birth control could trigger sudden changes in cells that are primed for cancer, leading to the growth of tumours. That said, the scientists concede that increased cancer risk is associated with other factors as well, like environmental factors, genetic mutations and family history, and that these numbers don’t mean that more women using hormonal contraception will be diagnosed with breast cancer. All said and done, any concerns you have should be discussed with a health professional or a GP.