Can birth control pills cause cancer? A US doctor explains

Birth control pills are the most common medications prescribed to women. Hundreds of thousands of women take these tiny pills to avoid pregnancy. They offer freedom, convenience, and peace of mind in controlling reproductive health.

But are they coming at a hidden cost to women’s long-term health? Is cancer the hefty price they have to pay?Dr Kunal Sood, MD, a double board-certified physician in anaesthesiology and interventional pain medicine practising in Germantown, Maryland, answers this important question that lingers in the minds of women who take these pills, in a video shared on Instagram. “Did you know combined birth control pills are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen?” he asked.

Do birth control pills fuel cancer?

There has been confusion surrounding the link between birth control pills and cancer for a long time. According to Dr Sood, the truth is more complex. There are measurable risks, but also powerful protective benefits.

“Studies link them to higher risks of breast and cervical cancer during use, but also show long-term protection against ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers,” he said.He also pointed out that combined birth control pills have been recognised as a cancer risk since at least 2005. “In 2007, the WHO’s Cancer Agency formally classified them as a Group 1 carcinogen based on evidence that these pills can increase the risk of certain cancers,” he said.

The doctor further added, “For example, women who currently use the pill have a 24% higher risk of breast cancer and a doubling of cervical cancer risk after 10 or more years of use. Thankfully, these risks tend to decline once the pill is stopped.”The doctor also explained that the pills have some protective effects. “But the good news is, the same pills are also associated with a 30–50% lower risk of ovarian cancer, a 30% reduction in endometrial cancer, and up to a 20% lower risk of colorectal cancer—benefits that can last for decades.

They’re also widely used to manage conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and painful periods.”“So while the Group 1 label is valid, it doesn’t reflect a one-sided risk. The full picture depends on personal health, family history, and how the pills are used,” the doctor said.

What recent research says

A new Swedish study from Uppsala University, which followed more than two million women and teenage girls in Sweden, found that some common hormonal contraceptives are linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than others.“Not all hormonal contraceptives have the same effect on the risk of breast cancer. Our results indicate that some progestins—particularly desogestrel—are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, while others, such as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections, showed no increase,” Professor Åsa Johansson, research group leader at Uppsala University and SciLifeLab and the study’s senior author, said in a statement.

The study found that both combined contraceptive pills and hormonal intrauterine coils containing levonorgestrel, which are among the most commonly used products in many parts of the world, including Sweden, were associated with a lower risk than desogestrel.Using hormonal contraceptives was linked to a 24% higher risk of breast cancer, which corresponds to about one extra case per 7,800 users each year. The researchers found that the risk increased with longer use.

Taking desogestrel-based pills for 5–10 years raised the risk by nearly 50%, while levonorgestrel-based pills increased it by less than 20%. However, pills containing drospirenone and oestrogen were not linked to a higher risk and may be a safer choice for women already at greater risk.“Hormonal contraceptives are highly effective and provide important health benefits, and we do not encourage women to stop using them,” Fatemeh Hadizadeh, the study’s lead author, said.

“In addition to protecting against unwanted pregnancies, they reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, relieve menstrual pain and heavy bleeding, help with acne, and give women greater control over their reproductive health.

At the same time, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and until better preventive treatments are available, avoiding drugs that increase the risk can make a big difference—especially for women who are already at higher risk. The results of our study provide doctors and women with useful information to act on.”Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.