Hormonal birth control is a popular form of contraception used by millions of women around the world. However, recent studies have shown that using any hormonal birth control slightly increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
The research, which was conducted by the World Health Organization, looked at data from over 100,000 women in 14 countries. The study found that women who used any type of hormonal birth control had a 20% higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who did not use any form of contraception.
The risk was highest for women who had used hormonal birth control for more than 10 years. The risk was also higher for women who had used the pill, patch, or ring for more than five years.
The study also found that the risk of breast cancer decreased after women stopped using hormonal birth control. The risk decreased by about 6% for every year that a woman was not using hormonal birth control.
The researchers concluded that the risk of breast cancer associated with using hormonal birth control is small, but it is still important for women to be aware of the potential risks.
Women should talk to their doctor about their individual risk factors for breast cancer and the potential benefits and risks of using hormonal birth control. Women should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and should get regular screenings.
It is important to remember that the risk of breast cancer associated with using hormonal birth control is small, and the benefits of using hormonal birth control may outweigh the risks for some women. However, it is important for women to be aware of the potential risks and to talk to their doctor about their individual risk factors.