A new study presented this week confirms that the use of all hormonal contraceptive methods increases the risk of breast cancerboth those that combine estrogens and progestogens and those that only carry the latter component.
The research was published in the scientific research journal PLOS Medicineand points out that Current or recent use of progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives is associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, and is similar in magnitude to that associated with combined hormonal contraceptives.
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The study led by Kirstin Pirie of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom analyzed medical case controls of almost 10,000 women under 50 years of age with breast cancer to assess the relationship between recent use of hormonal contraceptives by a women and their subsequent risk of breast cancer.
Current or recent use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a similar increased risk of breast cancer
“In our study, current or recent use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a similar increased risk of breast cancer, regardless of whether the preparation last used was combined oral, oral progestin-only, injectable progestin, progestin implant, or progestogen intrauterine device,” the text states.
According to the findings, there is a relative increase of about 20% to 30% in the risk of breast cancer associated with current or recent use of combined or progestin-only oral contraceptives.
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The study arose, according to the researchers, because the use of progestin-only hormonal contraceptives has increased substantially over the past decade. “Given the increasing use of progestogen-only contraceptives, it is important to understand how their use is associated with breast cancer risk,” the research notes.
Use of contraceptive methods in Colombia.
What are progestin-only or combined hormonal contraceptives?
As explained in the Merck Medical Reference Manual, hormonal contraceptives are those that contain estrogens and progestins (drugs similar to the hormone progesterone).
“Estrogens and progestogens are the main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.. Hormonal methods prevent pregnancy, mainly by stopping the release of eggs from the ovaries or by keeping the mucus so thick in the cervix that sperm cannot pass through it and enter the uterus. In this way, hormonal methods prevent the egg from being fertilized,” the manual states.
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These hormones can be taken by mouth (oral contraceptives); inserted into the vagina (vaginal rings); applied to the skin (patch); implanted under the skin; and injected into the muscle.
Some methods use only progestogen and others, instead, combine this hormone with estrogen. According to what the research found, in both cases the risk of breast cancer is increased.
Breast cancer: how to detect it early
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the region of the Americas.: More than 462,000 women were diagnosed and approximately 100,000 women die from breast cancer each year.
According to the American Cancer Society, there is no method to absolutely prevent breast cancer. “Many risk factors are out of your control, such as being a woman and aging. However, other risk factors can be changed and may reduce your risk,” the organization says.
To stop breast cancer, self-examination at an early stage is key.
About the disease, he explains the following: “This type of cancer originates when breast cells begin to grow uncontrollably. Breast cancer cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or it may be palpable as a mass or lump. Breast cancer occurs almost exclusively in women, but men can get it too.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the warning signs of breast cancer can be different for each person. Some people do not have any symptoms, but if you have one or more of the following signs you should see your doctor immediately:
- A new lump in the breast or armpit (under the arm).
- Increased thickness or swelling of a part of the breast.
- Irritation or sinking in the skin of the breast.
- Redness or scaling in the nipple or breast area.
- Sinking of the nipple or pain in that area.
- Discharge from the nipple, other than milk, including blood.
- Any change in the size or shape of the breast.
- Pain in any part of the breast.
Keep in mind that these warning signs can occur with conditions other than cancer. However, if it occurs, it is necessary to rule out the presence of malignancy with medical evaluation.
HEALTH UNIT
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