Contraception and breast cancer

A note on terms:

Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community. We’re actively inclusive in our language and we ask people how they want to be described. 

The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate we use the word ‘breast’. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives have benefits for lots of people. Hormonal contraceptives also have a small link to breast cancer, and in some cases it can slightly increase the risk. Hormonal contraceptives include:

• Injections
• The contraceptive patch
• Implants
• Vaginal rings
• The progesterone only pill (or ‘the mini pill’)
• The combined contraceptive pill – known as ‘the pill’

These contraceptives release the hormones oestrogen and progesterone into the body to stop pregnancy.

How hormonal contraceptives increase risk

It is still not fully known why hormonal contraceptives such as the pill increase cancer risk. We know that oestrogen and progesterone can grow breast cancer cells, so these hormones could be the reason for the link. Newer pills have lower doses of these hormones than pills we used in the past.

What Is The Risk?

• In every 10,000 people who do not take hormonal contraception, about 40 will get breast cancer between the ages of 30 and 39.
• In every 10,000 people who do take hormonal contraception for most of their 30s, about 54 will get breast cancer between the ages of 30 and 39.
• So, the pill causes about 14 extra cases of breast cancer in every 10,000 women in this age range.
• If you have been taking the pill for 5 years or more, that slight risk increase can stay for up to 10 years after stopping. After this time, the risk increase falls back down again.

Keep in mind that the risk of getting breast cancer from taking hormonal contraception is very low, especially if you are under 40. It is always important to check your chest as part of your monthly routine and speak to your GP if you are worried.

Find What Is Best For You

If you have other risk factors for breast cancer, such as a family history, you should talk with your GP about contraceptive risks. It is also worth thinking about how long you plan to take these contraceptives. Whilst the pill does have a small risk increase for breast cancer, it also slightly decreases your risk of some other cancers, such as ovarian cancer. So, before you decide on a contraceptive, weigh up the pros and cons of each and consider your own health and lifestyle. Like all medicine, the pill has risks and benefits. There are plenty of contraceptives out there, so find what works for you. You can ask your GP to help you make a choice taking into account all ofl the information. Our good pals at Brook also have a fab contraceptive guide to help you.