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Is the Pill making you ill?
continued from page 2
Breast and cervical cancer
The risks associated with the Pill and breast cancer are very controversial. There's a 24 per cent greater chance of getting breast cancer on the Pill. However, this drops to zero risk after 10 years of stopping the Pill. 'Think about it in real terms,' says Dr Parry. 'Ten women in every 1,000 will get breast cancer, and the Pill adds one more person to that total. That's not very many.' And it's important to note that the risk of developing breast cancer under the age of forty is very low.
Sex is the only known causal factor of cervical cancer and evidence shows that Pill-users are more likely to have sex than non-users. The other factor to consider is that women on the Pill tend not to use condoms. 'This makes them more at risk from the human papilloma virus, which is related to cervical cancer,' says Dr Parry. Regular smear tests (every three years) are imperative for all women.
Positives On the plus side, the Pill offers a lot of benefits to women with the single most important benefit being the prevention of pregnancy.
The Pill halves the risk of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) - an infection of the fallopian tubes - and the development of poly-cystic ovaries. Furthermore, taking the Pill halves the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers. This protection lasts for 15 years after you stop taking the Pill. Protection against PID also means you are less likely to suffer an ectopic pregnancy when you try for a baby later.
It also reduces the risk of endometriosis, an unpleasant gynaecological condition, which results in very heavy periods. It's not the most effective treatment of endometriosis but certainly helps keep the symptoms under control. The Pill has shown to help 90 per cent of women with heavy periods, reducing the risk of anaemia, easing the symptoms of PMT and lessening pain.
If you do suffer side-effects, ask your GP to find you an alternative brand - because every woman has her own unique hormonal balance and there's bound to be another Pill that suits you better.
More aboutthe Pill
For further advice, contact:
Marie Stopes
0845 300 80 90
Margaret Pike Family Planning Centre
0845 310 1334
Breast and cervical cancer
The risks associated with the Pill and breast cancer are very controversial. There's a 24 per cent greater chance of getting breast cancer on the Pill. However, this drops to zero risk after 10 years of stopping the Pill. 'Think about it in real terms,' says Dr Parry. 'Ten women in every 1,000 will get breast cancer, and the Pill adds one more person to that total. That's not very many.' And it's important to note that the risk of developing breast cancer under the age of forty is very low.
Sex is the only known causal factor of cervical cancer and evidence shows that Pill-users are more likely to have sex than non-users. The other factor to consider is that women on the Pill tend not to use condoms. 'This makes them more at risk from the human papilloma virus, which is related to cervical cancer,' says Dr Parry. Regular smear tests (every three years) are imperative for all women.
Positives On the plus side, the Pill offers a lot of benefits to women with the single most important benefit being the prevention of pregnancy.
The Pill halves the risk of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) - an infection of the fallopian tubes - and the development of poly-cystic ovaries. Furthermore, taking the Pill halves the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers. This protection lasts for 15 years after you stop taking the Pill. Protection against PID also means you are less likely to suffer an ectopic pregnancy when you try for a baby later.
It also reduces the risk of endometriosis, an unpleasant gynaecological condition, which results in very heavy periods. It's not the most effective treatment of endometriosis but certainly helps keep the symptoms under control. The Pill has shown to help 90 per cent of women with heavy periods, reducing the risk of anaemia, easing the symptoms of PMT and lessening pain.
If you do suffer side-effects, ask your GP to find you an alternative brand - because every woman has her own unique hormonal balance and there's bound to be another Pill that suits you better.
More about
For further advice, contact:
0845 300 80 90
0845 310 1334
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