Birth control pills can protect against ovarian and endometrial cancers: Study

Oral contraceptive pills, also known as birth control pills, have been under the scanner for decades. Used both for preventing pregnancy and helping women combat certain hormonal issues, these pills also come with a host of side effects. Some of the most common ones include: mood changes, swollen and tender breasts, and nausea.

As uncomfortable as these side effects are, it would seem that there is some benefit to these pills beyond the purpose for which they are marketed. A recent research involving more than 2,50,000 women shows that oral contraceptives can offer protection from ovarian and endometrial cancer.

The comprehensive study from Uppsala University, Sweden, suggests that this protective effect remains in place for several decades after discontinuing the use. The study is published in the journal Cancer Research.

Ovarian cancer can be fairly deadly 

Ovarian and endometrial cancer are among the most common gynaecological cancers, with a lifetime risk of just over two per cent. Endometrial cancer is slightly more common but as it has clearer symptoms and is therefore often detected at an early stage, the mortality rate is low.

However, ovarian cancer is among the deadliest cancers, since it is often not detected until it has already spread to other parts of the body.

Oral contraceptives include oestrogen and progestin, which are synthetic forms of the female sex hormones. The oestrogen and progestin in oral contraceptives prevent ovulation and thereby protect against pregnancy.

Also, read: Can you fix PCOD without birth control pills? Yes, you can according to this wellness coach

In the current study, the scientists compared the incidence of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers between women who had used oral contraceptive pills and those who had not.

“It was clear that women who had used oral contraceptive pills had a much lower risk of developing both ovarian and endometrial cancer. Fifteen years after discontinuing with oral contraceptives, the risk was about 50% lower. However, a decreased risk was still detected up to 30-35 years after discontinuation,” said Asa Johansson at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, one of the leading researchers behind the study.

Oral contraceptive pills have previously been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer

“Surprisingly, we only found a small increased risk of breast cancer among oral contraceptive users, and the increased risk disappeared within a few years after discontinuation,” said Johansson.

Also, read: 2020 is THE year and so you must revisit your relationship with birth control pills

“Our results suggest that the lifetime risk of breast cancer might not differ between ever and never users, even if there is an increased short-term risk,” added Johansson.

The results from the current study are important, since oral contraceptive use has commonly been associated with side effects such as deep vein thrombosis and breast cancer.

“In addition to protecting against pregnancy, we have shown that oral contraceptive pills also have other positive effects. Our results can enable women and physicians to make more informed decisions about which women should use oral contraceptive pills,” said Therese Johansson, one of the PhD students behind the study.