Progestogen-only pill breast cancer risk revealed
-
Loading... - Emma Martina
- 05 Apr 2023
- 76 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Taking a progestogen-only 'mini pill' carries a small risk of breast cancer - similar to combined oral contraceptive pills, say researchers.
The study, in PLoS Medicine journal, is one of the first big ones able to assess the odds for users of this type of birth control.
It shows a tiny risk, skewed towards older users, which goes away within a few years of stopping the medication.
On the flip side the pills protect against some other female cancers.
Women who take hormonal contraceptives have a lower risk of womb and ovarian cancer, with that protection lasting for decades, the researchers, from Oxford University, say. And people should weigh up all the pros and cons.
What is the mini-pill?
Mostly used as a contraceptive but sometimes for help with painful, heavy periods, the mini-pill:
- -contains just one hormone, progestogen (a synthetic version of progesterone), while the combined pill also contains oestrogen
- -can be a good alternative for those who cannot use oestrogen - if breastfeeding or with an increased risk of blood clots, for example
- -taken daily, with no break between pill packs, can be more than 99% effective against pregnancy
- -can be used up to the menopause or the age of 55, if generally fit and well
- -can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies
- -will not protect against sexually-transmitted infections. Read More..
