New study widens pill risks, benefits for cancer

GENEVA (Reuters) – Women who take the birth control pill
could increase their risk of cervical and breast cancer,
scientists said on 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 cancer are also possible risks.

The pill can protect against endometrial cancer and ovarian
cancer, IARC said, calling for more research to determine
whether the total net benefits caused by the protective and
carcinogenic effects were positive or negative.

“It is possible that the overall net public health outcome
may be beneficial, but a rigorous analysis is required to
demonstrate this,” the agency said.

“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.