Recent research has revealed that thousands of women who use the mini-pill may be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who choose other forms of hormonal contraception.
Swedish researchers, who followed more than two million women, found that the newer progestogen-only pill, often called the mini pill and containing a form of progesterone called desogestrel, is associated with about a 21% increase in breast cancer risk compared with women who do not use hormonal contraception.
By comparison, the combined pill — which contains both estrogen and progesterone — was associated with a smaller increase of 12%. While women using injections or other progesterone-only implants had lower or unchanged risk.
Scientists have not been able to determine exactly why the mini-pill increases the risk more, but suggest that further research is needed to understand the impact of desogestrel on the body.
The research, published in JAMA Oncology by Uppsala University, highlights:
"The finding that desogestrel may increase breast cancer risk more than other types of progesterone is a novel finding that has not been reported before. These results indicate important differences in breast cancer risk among different types of progesterone."
Of the 2,095,130 girls and women followed, use of any form of hormonal contraception was associated with an overall 24% increased risk of breast cancer. According to the researchers, this means that for every 7,752 users, one additional case of breast cancer may occur.
In the UK, around 6% of women aged 16–49 use the mini-pill — around 3.1 million women. The pill works by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the womb, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. In some cases, it can stop ovulation.
Its effectiveness is 99.7% with perfect use, but incorrect use — such as missing a pill or gastrointestinal problems — can cause about 9% of women to become pregnant.
Common side effects include:
nausea
breast tenderness
mood swings
headache
Some women report weight gain, due to fluid retention and increased appetite, but the NHS says there is no clear evidence that the pill causes weight gain. /GazetaExpress/
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