Healthy living
Medicines and supplements
The pill gives lasting protection against ovarian cancer
The oral contraceptive pill carries on some good work long after you throw away your last pack
When the oral contraceptive pill was introduced in 1961 it revolutionised birth control, not to mention the sex lives of the generations of women who’ve had access to it since then. Now there’s added confirmation that the Pill has benefited women’s health in other ways.
It’s been known for some time that oral contraceptives reduce the risk of cancer of the ovary, womb and colon. Now an update to ongoing research shows that the benefits may last long after women have stopped taking the pill.
Scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School used research carried out among over 107,000 participants in the US Nurses’ Health Study, conducted over 28 years. They found that women who had used oral contraceptives for more than five years had a lower risk of ovarian cancer. The longer you were on the pill, the more your risk is reduced. The new finding that came out of this study is that the protective effect of the pill lasts for 20 years after the last pill is taken before wearing off.
"The combined pill is the most used contraceptive method in Britain and is used by about three and a half million women. The protective effects of the combined pill against ovarian cancer are well known and so fpa welcomes research that gives ongoing confirmation of this,’ says a spokesperson for fpa (formerly the Family Planning Association).
"The combined pill also reduces the risks of cancer in the womb and colon and may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease."
The pill isn’t without some health risks though. It’s linked with an increased risk of blood clots and a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer if used continuously for more than five years. The research on the pill and breast cancer isn’t clear-cut, but it suggests that there is a small increase in risk of breast cancer if you use a hormonal contraceptive.
About ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cancer is most common among women from their 50s to their 80s
- About 6,800 new cases are diagnosed in the UK every year
- Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment
- A close family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer
Useful articles
Useful website
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
