It was already known that the use of combined contraceptives (estrogens and progestins) was associated with an increased risk of the disease. What is new is the use of progestin alone. It would increase by 20 to 30% the risk for women of developing breast cancer. This is demonstrated by a British study published in the journal PLOS medicine.
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The pill, implant, IUD, all hormonal contraception increases the risk of breast cancer. And this, regardless of the type of hormones used, combined, estrogen-progestogen or progestogen alone.
This is also the novelty demonstrated by these British scientists. The use of progesterone alone increases the risk of developing the disease by 20 to 30%. The researchers calculated the number of additional breast cancer cases.
In the case of hormonal contraception taken between the ages of 16 and 20 and for five years, the number of women developing breast cancer is 8 out of 100,000. Taken between the ages of 35 and 39, this represents 265 additional cases of breast cancer. breast in 100,000 women.
The study was carried out using data from less than 10,000 women aged under 50. Women who developed breast cancer between 1996 and 2017 in the UK. Period during which contraceptives containing only a progestogen are now as widespread as those combining progestogen and estrogen.
On the other hand, the study confirms that the risk reduces with the discontinuation of the contraceptive.
There is the most classic, the condom. But it would only protect 80% against an unwanted pregnancy. In question, a misuse, or a rupture of the condom.
Then there are spermicides, in gel form. They inactivate or destroy sperm. But the efficiency leaves much to be desired.
The best contraception without hormones would be the copper IUD. A small object placed in the uterus, which contains copper. It has an action on the mobility of spermatozoa and inflammatory at the level of the lining of the uterus which prevents the implantation of an embryo if there is fertilization.
Some women also use cycle tracking methods to identify the most fertile times and avoid intercourse at those times. Surgery can also be used, vasectomy which is irreversible for men. Women can request a tubal ligation, a permanent form of contraception.
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