Common pill taken by millions already ‘slashes risk of killer cancer by 69%'
Shorter use is still linked to a significant reduction in the likelihood of developing the disease, new research found.
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Oral contraceptives (OC) offer several benefits beyond preventing pregnancy.
They're known to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce menstrual pain and bleeding, and improve acne.
Previous studies have linked OC with reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
Now, new research published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, confirms a clear association between OC use and the risk of womb cancer.
Researchers found the protective association between the use of OCs and the risk of womb cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is stronger with duration of use.
Women using OCs for less than five years had a 34 per cent lower risk, those using them for five or more years had a 61 per cent lower risk, and the strongest benefit – a 69 per cent reduction – was observed in women who used OCs for at least 10 years.
When the analysis was restricted to users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) - hormonal birth control that contains both estrogen and progestogen - the protective association was even more pronounced, with a 54 per cent reduction in the odds of womb cancer compared to non-users.
'The use of oral contraceptives, which regulate hormone levels, appears to reduce the proliferation of endometrial cells, potentially lowering mutation rates and long-term cancer risk,' said Dr András Harajka, a PhD student at Semmelweis University's Centre for Translational Medicine, and the first author of the study.
Womb cancer is now the most common gynaecological malignancy in high-income countries, with more than 417,000 new cases reported globally in 2020 alone, the research warns.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) projects a 49 per cent increase in EMC cases by 2050.
These rising trends have been linked to factors such as ageing, obesity, and hormonal influences.
Earlier studies have shown hormonal factors – particularly the roles of oestrogen and progesterone – play a central role in womb cancer risk.
Co-author Dr Nándor Ács, also head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Semmelweis University, added: 'Our findings provide robust and up-to-date evidence that oral contraceptive use is significantly associated with lower risk of endometrial cancer, particularly with longer use.
"This is an important consideration for patients and clinicians when discussing contraceptive options.'
But the researchers caution while OCs used by more than 150 million worldwide offer significant protective benefits, they can also carry side effects including mood changes, nausea, and, in rare cases, an increased risk of blood clots or stroke.
The NHS says you may have some side effects when you first start taking the combined contraceptive pill, including bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding) or changes to your periods.
Taking the pill can also cause high blood pressure in a small number of people.
The NHS advises: "If you still have side effects after three months and they're a problem for you, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
"It may help to change to a different pill, or to have a shorter pill-free break or no break between pills (a tailored regime)."
It adds the risk of getting a blood clot is very small and affects up to one in 1,000 people.
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