Currently, there are still many doubts about taking contraceptive pills regarding their advantages and disadvantages, including whether there are any side effects when choosing to use contraceptive pills for a long period. One of the concerns is whether long-term use of contraceptive pills increases the risk of breast cancer. Generally, contraceptive pills are divided into two main types:
- Combined hormonal contraceptive pills
- Progestin-only contraceptive pills
Combined hormonal contraceptive pills contain both estrogen and progesterone in one pill. They are further divided into two groups: one group has equal amounts of estrogen and progesterone in every pill, and the other group has varying hormone levels in each pill. Normally, the risk of cancer in women depends on prolonged high levels of estrogen in the body, such as:
- Having menstruation early (before age 12)
- Menopause occurring later than usual (around age 55)
- Having the first child after age 30
- Having no children
Q: Does using contraceptive pills, whether oral or injectable, increase the risk of cancer?
A: The risk of cancer increases slightly due to the elevated levels of estrogen in the body. However, it should be noted that the hormones in contraceptive pills do not remain in the body for long, so they are not a major factor in causing cancer unless the user already has an underlying risk. In such cases, the risk increases only slightly. Moreover, if contraceptive use is stopped for more than 10 years, the risk of cancer decreases to the same level as those who have never used contraceptives. Besides preventing pregnancy, contraceptive pills also have other health benefits, such as:
- Helping regulate menstrual cycles
- Reducing menstrual pain
- Preventing iron-deficiency anemia
- Preventing ectopic pregnancy
- Preventing endometrial cancer
- Reducing the occurrence of ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer
Contraceptive pills are considered beneficial and widely accepted. They can be used as long as they are used properly—only when necessary and not continuously for too long. If contraception is needed, there are other methods available, such as male condom use.
For those concerned about cancer, it should be said that the main factors causing cancer still come from other more important causes, such as genetics, physical condition, diet, and environment. These can be prevented by eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, maintaining good health to reduce cancer risk, and undergoing regular cancer screenings every year.
