The oral contraceptive decreases the risk of certain cancers, even in smokers

areeya/epictura

Published the 22.01.2018 at 12h23

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Keywords :

contraceptioncancer of the ovairecancer of the endometrium

Tobacco and the contraceptive pill do not make good bedfellows. Several studies show that taking a pill / progestin and smoking greatly increases the risk of disease, thromboembolic.
However, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association certifies that taking the pill decreases the risk of cancers of the endometrium and ovaries in particular in smokers, and in women who are obese and who do not exercise on a regular basis.

A reduced risk for cancer of the endometrium and ovaries

The study was performed on 196 536 women aged 50 to 71 years old. More than half of them used oral contraception. Researchers have studied several parameters to understand the links between the pill and cancer : alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, body mass index, or the level of physical activity.
The results show that the long-term use of the pill, at least ten years, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer of 40%, and 34% that of the endometrium. These results were more significant among smokers, obese women and those who do not regularly sport.

An increased risk of breast cancer

For the authors, the oral contraceptive may therefore be useful in the prevention of some types of cancer in women. A study published last December in the New England Journal of Medicine showed, however, that the use of the pill would increase the risk of breast cancer, 13 cases per 100 000 women per year, but the impact of the dietary was not made. Results that are especially significant in women over 35 years of age. The national College of gynaecologists and obstetricians French spoke on the subject last October, recalling that as with any drug, the pill has advantages and disadvantages, but that the means of birth control are numerous. Each woman can choose her contraception as a function of its tolerance to different levels of hormones, and what is best for you.