IUDs & Breast Cancer Risk
- New research has shown that IUDs, a type of birth control which Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey took years ago, do raise a women’s risk for breast cancer, just like hormonal birth control pills have been found to do in earlier studies.
- Last year, another study found that all forms of hormonal birth control, no matter the method, come with the same increase in breast cancer risk.
- Our experts stress that the risk is small, and people should weigh the benefits of these birth control methods against the increased breast cancer risk with their doctors.
- Prior studies have also shown that the hormone-coated IUD helps to lower the risk for uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
- The medical community has a broad consensus that women have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, if you have a higher risk for breast cancer due to a family history or a genetic mutation, you should consider screening at age 40.
Hailey previously spoke on an episode of The Biebers on her Facebook Watch series, where she explained, “I started getting a little bit of acne from my IUD because I’d never been on birth control before, so my hormones were a little out of balance.” She also admitted the acne was “painful,” and she “hid” how it affected her confidence.”
Read MoreAlthough it’s unclear what specific type of IUD Hailey had taken, or whether she has a heightened risk of breast cancer, or if she has gone back on birth control after having a baby, it’s helpful to know that the new research published this week in JAMA Network has contributed to growing evidence that women taking hormonal birth control are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
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The new findings say that women using hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) have about a similar breast cancer risk as women taking hormonal birth control pills
The research looked looked into 150,000 women between the ages of 15 and 49 in Denmark to compare half using levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs and the other half who were not using any type of contraceptives with hormones.
According to MedlinePlus, Levonorgestrel “is in a class of medications called progestins. It works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary.”
In total, 1,600 new breast cancer diagnoses were found out of the total number of women involved. It was also found that women who used IUDs were 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, than those who did not.
Overall, the IUDs increase breast cancer risk just as oral contraceptive pill increase breast cancer risk, the researchers found.
Additionally, the study’s findings equate to 14 more breast cancer cases for every 10,000 women in a five-year time span.
It’s been known for years that the classic birth control pill may be associated with a slight increase to the risk of breast cancer, but many women may wonder how other contraceptives link up to cancer, the implant, patch, ring IUD or mini pill.
Last year, a large study found that there is still a small increased risk of breast cancer no matter the hormonal birth control method.
Expert Resources On Breast Cancer Risk
- Breast Cancer Risk For Post Menopausal Women — Taking Hormones Can Increase Your Risk
- Alcohol Can Increase the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
- Does Eating Cheese Actually Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
- Exercise Can Lower Your Breast Cancer Risk
- Can Wearing My Bra To Bed Raise My Risk Of Breast Cancer?
- Eating Chicken May Actually Decrease The Risk of Breast Cancer, According to New Research
- How To Reduce the Risk Of A Breast Cancer Recurrence
- Higher Fiber Intake Linked to an 8% Lower Risk of Breast Cancer, New Research Shows
- The Top Breast Cancer Risk Factors and What You Can Do About It
Contraception, also called birth control, prevents a pregnancy before it begins. The majority of American women ages 18-64 (90%) have used birth control at some point in their reproductive years. In fact, almost three quarters of women in the U.S. have tried more than one contraceptive method throughout their lifetime.
There are are also various types of contraceptives that work well and are relatively easy to use. Of all the reversible methods, hormonal contraceptives are the most effective. However, the question is whether there is a major negative to that type of birth control, and a study out of the U.K. published in the journal PLOS Medicine, reported an increased risk of breast cancer in women who use hormonal contraceptives.
“This study found a small increased risk of breast cancer (relative risk 1.2) associated with hormonal contraception use,” explained New York Gynecologist Alyssa Dweck MD, to Survivornet. Dr. Dweck is also the co-author of “The Complete A to Z for Your V: A Women’s Guide to Everything You Want to Know About Your Vagina.”
However, our experts don’t think you need to stop taking your hormonal birth control, if you happen to be taking them.
“As in all thinking in medicine, there is always risk-benefit to consider,” Dr. Dana Chase, an associate professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“There should be a discussion with a [health professional] or physician about what’s best for you.”
Understanding Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control method of birth control that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives contain either a combination of estrogen and progesterone, or progesterone only.
“Hormonal contraception prevents pregnancy by blocking the release of eggs from a woman’s ovaries, thinning the lining of her uterus, or thickening the mucus in the cervix to help keep sperm from reaching the egg,” Dr. Chase said.
WATCH: Finding a Doctor Who Can Handle Your Personal Concerns
There are several different types of hormonal birth control options, which people can choose with their doctor depending on your personal preferences and unique circumstances. Those options include:
- Swallow it in pill form. Most people in the U.S. who are on the pill take what’s called the combination pill. Estrogen and progesterone stop your ovaries from releasing eggs and they make changes in your cervix and uterus that lower your chance of pregnancy.
- Have an injection. This method prevents pregnancy by injecting a synthetic version of the hormone progestogen, called Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA. It keeps the body from producing its own hormones and releasing eggs from the ovaries.
- Get an implant. The contraceptive implant (commonly sold unde the brand name Nexplanon) is a small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm by a health professional. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and will last for three years.
- Use a skin patch. The patch releases a daily dose of hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. It contains the same hormones as the combined pill estrogen and progestogen and works in the same way by preventing the release of an egg each month (ovulation).
- Insert a ring in the vagina. The vaginal ring (commonly sold under the brand name NuvaRing) is a small, soft, plastic ring that you place inside your vagina. It releases a continuous dose of hormones estrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream.
- Have an IUD placed in your uterus. This device is a T-shaped plastic frame that’s inserted into the uterus by your HCP, where it releases the hormone progestin.
But no matter the method you choose, Dr. Dweck has an important note.
“I want to stress that no matter what type of delivery you choose, hormonal contraception is not appropriate for women with breast cancer,” says Dr. Dweck.
“That said, there are several options for the delivery of this type of birth control. Keep in mind that no matter how it’s delivered to your body, all hormonal contraceptives are highly effective when used as directed,”
Dr. Dweck adds: “Thoughtful decision-making among patient, partner (if there is one) and your [health professional] is the first step.”
Should You Remove or Stop Taking Your Hormonal Birth Control?
Dr. Chase and Dr. Dweck both agree that there’s no reason to panic or stop taking your hormonal birth control.
“As in all thinking in medicine, there is always risk-benefit to consider,” says Dr. Chase. “There should be a discussion with a [health professional] or physician about what’s best for you. If you are not ready to have children and/or experience life-altering menstrual cycles that compromise your quality of life (which hormonal contraceptives can control), a slight increase of breast cancer risk may not be a big deal. This is especially true when you can’t have a good life without some kind of birth control method that regulates hormones.”
But Dr Chase adds, “If you’re taking this medication, be sure to have routine mammograms. “Also, if you have a strong family history of breast cancer and you’re taking medication for contraception or to control menstruation, speak with a genetic counselor or your primary care physician to find out the potential for your increased risk of breast cancer.”
Dr. Dweck points out that there are also other factors to consider. The risk of breast cancer also increases:
- If you started menstruating earlier and were therefore exposed to estrogen earlier (Menstruation typically begins between 10 and 16)
- If you’ve never given birth to children or breast fed
Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control
Although the risk of breast cancer is important information to have when considering which birth control method to choose, Dr. Chase says there are “absolutely” benefits of hormonal birth control to consider as well.
The hormone-coated IUD is known to lower the risk for uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
“The incidence of uterine cancer is on the rise, especially in obese women,” Dr. Chase points out. “That’s because fat in the body has an enzyme that converts androgyn to estrogen. It’s thought that this process contributes to cells in the uterine lining to proliferate. But studies have shown that an hormone- coated IUD helps to prevent the disease.”
When it comes to cervical cancer, the latest research suggests the benefit is significant. The IUD may reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by as much as 30%.
When to Screen for Breast Cancer
The medical community has a broad consensus that women have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said this year that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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