Does the oral contraceptive pill decrease your risk of ovarian cancer?

Oral contraceptives were first launched in the 1960’s. And they’re still an incredibly popular form of birth control in the UK. Taken correctly, they prevent a pregnancy by altering the levels of hormones in the body that are responsible for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle.

There are two distinct types of contraceptive pill available. The combined pill, which contains both oestrogen and progestogen. And the progestogen-only ‘mini-pill’. Depending on factors such as a woman’s medical history, lifestyle, age and weight, they may be more suited to one type of contraceptive pill over the other.

Can the combined pill increase the chance of certain cancers?

Research has shown that women who take the combined pill over a long period of time (more than 5 years) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer in particular. For those who use it for less than 5 years, the risks are the same as if no use had occurred. When a woman stops taking the combined pill, the increased risk of breast and cervical cancer returns back to normal. By 10 years after stopping, a woman’s risk is no longer affected.

However, it’s not all bad news; the combined pill actually appears to decrease a woman’s risk of womb and ovarian cancers. Research has also shown that the longer the combined pill is taken for, the more a woman’s risk of womb and ovarian cancer reduces. Therefore, it may well be the case that the protective effects overall outweigh the risks.

Does taking the mini-pill affect cancer risk?

When it comes to mini-pill use, the research is less clear. Because fewer women use the mini-pill, it’s trickier to know if the risks of cancer are the same, less or higher.

With regard to breast cancer, the risks appear to be similar whichever pill a woman chooses. However, women who have a family history of ovarian cancer for example may prefer the mini-pill. With this pill there is no link between taking it and contracting ovarian cancer. The trick is for healthcare professionals and patients to work out together where the health priorities lie, so that contraceptive benefits can be balanced against cancer risks.

Do you regularly advise patients on contraceptive choices?

Our Contraception and sexual health workshop for the primary care practitioner course may well prove useful. The course is aimed specifically at nurses, midwives and other health professionals who offer contraceptive advice to women of childbearing age. It provides an overview of modern contraceptive options together with their pros and cons. It also explores how to manage the risks associated with contraceptives. And how to recommend the most suitable one for your patients.

The course takes place in London on 3^rd and 4^th October 2019. And it is worth 14 hours of CPD.