Cancer
The contraceptive pill may protect women from heart disease and some cancers, new research suggests. The Wayne State University of Detroit found that taking the contraceptive pill for one to four years reduced the risk of heart attack by up to 10%, while those who had used it for more than eight years were 18% less likely to suffer cardiovascular problems.
The study, which is the largest ever conducted into the long-term health effects of the pill, surveyed more than 67,000 women and found long-term users had a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease compared to women who had not used oral contraceptives.
The research also showed that the pill could protect against cancer with long-term use lowering the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 42% and uterine cancer by up to 30%. The findings contradict previous work, which suggested oral contraceptives increased the chances of heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer.
Research leader Dr Rahi Victory said the study marked a significant development in the health risks posed by oral contraceptives. "In stark contrast to previous findings, our data supports significant cardiovascular disease risk reductions in women with a history of oral contraceptive use," he said.
Despite this, there is less transparency in the relationship between oral contraceptives and cancer risks. Dr Amy Berrington, of Cancer Research UK, pointed out that while long-term pill use apparently lowered the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, other studies show it increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer.
