??? risky to be on BCP?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2003
??? risky to be on BCP?
6
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 4:54pm

Hello all!

I just read in the newspaper that there was a new study linking oral contraceptives with breast cancer risk. It made me a little nervous! It said that those who have been on OC for four years or more increased their risk by over 50%! So I guess I'm looking for more information...what do you all think of this? I believe it was a Kaiser study, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, I know its just one study and others have said otherwise, but I was wondering:

1.How long have you all been on BCP? I'm going on 4 years in July.
2.Do the results of a study like this make you worry about taking BCP and seek alternate routes?

Thanks for any input that might help me feel more at ease.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 5:46pm

Hi aimros, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 6:52pm

1.How long have you all been on BCP? off and on between the ages of 18-30....

2.Do the results of a study like this make you worry about taking BCP and seek alternate routes? no already had a tubal...but studies about the safety of medicines make me wonder if they are approved too quickly.....

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 9:00pm

I too read that article and can't find it now. I was shocked when they said that their risk of breast cancer increased by 50%. I read it twice to be sure.

I was on Birth control pills for just over 4 years when we decided to start trying for a baby. Now that I've had my son I chose the Mirena IUD instead, but not really because of the study.

I guess it doesn't worry me that much. There's always some study coming out saying things are good, then changing to be bad, and changing back.

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2005
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 9:26pm

Here is some more complete information than you are likely to find in an average newspaper:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives#2

http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/RiskFactorsPrevention/AbcBirthControlPillUse?ssSourceNodeId=290&ssSourceSiteId=Komen

Basically, some studies have indicated a higher risk (usually in the 10-30% range, NOT 50%), while other studies have shown no statistically significant increased risk. Most of the studies showing increased risk were done on older generation, higher dose pills. And, most women taking the pill are younger, and thus at lower overall risk for breast cancer anyway. If you don't have other risk factors (like close family history), bad diet is more likely to cause breast cancer than the pill.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the pill has been proven to DECREASE the risk of ovarian cancer, which is less common but more deadly and harder to detect than breast cancer.

I've been on the pill for 15 years, and will probably continue on it until menopause or a tubal. Sure, breast cancer is a concern. But, I'm doing my self-exams and will start mamograms next year. The slight possibility of increased risk, for me personally, with my own personal medical history, is not enough of a concern to seek out another method.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 9:44pm

Hi again Lola,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 02-25-2007 - 9:55pm

So true. They always make it sound scary on tv since that's what gets people to watch. It's a good thing to remember to keep it in relative terms. I guess it's why I wasn't that worried about the length of time I was on BCP.

-Mel