October 19, 2024 Issue, Page 20 of 20

Page Text

8B-+ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024 BREAST CANCER * The Elk City News Oral contraceptive use and breast cancer Breast cancer may never be far from the who used hormonal contraceptives. The study minds of women, particularly those who have found that the overall risk of breast cancer experience with the disease. The American from contraceptive use was very low. Rela- Cancer Society says about 310,720 new cases tive risk increased with duration of use. Oral of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in contraceptives utilize different hormone com- women in the United States in a given year. binations and strengths, so results may vary The World Health Organization says globally depending on the type of pill being taken. 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast ‘Once women stop taking birth control pills, cancer in 2022, and 670,000 died from the dis- their risk for breast cancer begins to decrease, ease. advises Susan G. Komen. After about five Naturally, women want to do all they can to years, the risk of breast cancer among women reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. who have taken an oral contraceptive is simi- While it is not possible for women to eliminate lar to the risk among women who have never their breast cancer risk, recognition of certain taken the pill at all. variables that can increase risk can help them Low-dose pills also may be linked to an make more informed decisions. Such variables increased breast cancer risk just like older, include the link between breast cancer and higher-dose forms of birth control. But Su- hormonal oral contraceptives. san G. Komen says that the progestin-only Oral contraceptives are used by women to “mini-pill,” norethisterone, doesn’t appear to prevent pregnancy. The organization Susan be linked to breast cancer. So those who are G. Komen says that use of oral contraceptives considering birth control pills may want to WINDY is=-s is linked to a 20 to 30 percent increased risk speak to their doctors about norethisterone if for breast cancer. However, nearly all of the breast cancer risk is a concern. Similarly, use research on the link between oral contracep- of a hormonal IUD, a vaginal birth control tives and cancer risk comes from observation- ring or a birth control patch does not seem to al studies, including both large prospective be linked to breast cancer. cohort studies and population-based case- Although there is a relatively low risk of 114 ACCESS RDELK CITY, OK 73644 control studies, indicates the National Cancer breast cancer attributed to use of hormonal PH (580) 225-3344 FAX (580) 303-4527 Center. Researchers cannot definitively say if birth control, women can conduct their own oral contraceptives cause or prevent cancer. research so they are in the best position to www.WINDYNISSAN.COM A 2017 cohort study published in the New make informed decisions they can be comfort- England Journal of Medicine analyzed the able with going forward. risk of invasive breast cancer in Dutch women MONTH Don’t Be A Statistic Do your at home checks and schedule your annual mammognanes. 980-225- 6554 918 N. Van Buren One of the largest metal Elk City, OK 73644 suppliers between OKC and Amarillo www.janningwelding.com