Is taking birth control pills a cancer risk?

Many advise women against using birth control pills due to concerns about cancer, particularly breast cancer, thyroid tumors, and cysts. Is this concern valid? (Tien, 22, Hanoi).

Women currently using or who have recently stopped using hormonal birth control (including combined estrogen-progestin pills and other hormonal methods) face a slightly elevated risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared to non-users. The relative risk increase is typically around 20-30%. However, because breast cancer is uncommon in young women, the actual number of additional cases remains quite small.

This risk tends to increase with the duration of use but gradually decreases after stopping the medication, potentially returning to near normal levels after several years. Conversely, birth control pills also offer significant benefits: they inhibit ovulation and prevent conception, making them an optimal choice for many women.

Women should seek professional medical advice to select the most suitable birth control method. In some cases, doctors may recommend types with less impact, tailored to an individual's specific health profile.

Particular caution is advised for women who have breast cancer, those with close relatives (mother, sister, daughter) who have had breast cancer (especially at a young age), individuals carrying high-risk gene mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with breast tumors currently under monitoring or other specific risk factors.