Birth control pills protect against cancer, too. A Danish study published in 2017 showed a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women using birth control pills and other forms of hormonal contraception (one extra case of breast cancer among 7,700 women using such contraceptives per year). But before we all start using less effective methods like the calendar method or diaphragm, let’s remember that birth control pills protect against other forms of cancer, too. To me, the protection against ovarian cancer is the most exciting and comforting, because ovarian cancer can be hard to detect until it is very advanced- so anything to help decrease the risk is welcome. Read more about the risks and benefits of birth control here, and also ask your doctor more questions!
By Dr. Elizabeth Etkin-Kramer