Review finds pill increases cancer risks

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http:/./www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1426178.htm

 

Review finds pill increases cancer risks

 

Women who take the birth control pill could increase their risk of

cervical and breast cancer, scientists say.

 

A review of research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer

(IARC) has concluded that oral contraceptives protect against some types

of cancer but might trigger others.

 

Previously, liver cancer was indicated as a risk for women who take the

pill, IARC said.

 

But the latest research shows cervical and breast cancer are also

possible risks.

 

IARC says the pill can protect against endometrial cancer and ovarian

cancer, calling for more research to determine whether the total net

benefits caused by the protective and carcinogenic effects were positive

or negative.

 

" It is possible that the overall net public health outcome may be

beneficial, but a rigorous analysis is required to demonstrate this, "

said the agency, which is part of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

 

" This new information about cancer risks and also protection against

cancer in the case of oral contraceptives, makes it important that each

woman who uses these hormonal products discuss the risks and benefits

with her doctor. "

 

At the same time, the IARC working group of 21 scientists elevated the

warning on hormonal menopausal therapy to " carcinogenic " from " possibly

carcinogenic " .

 

The scientists concluded, based on an expanded study, that " combined

menopausal therapy " increased the risk of breast cancer and in some

cases endometrial cancer.

 

Worldwide, about 100 million women use oral contraceptives.

 

In addition, about 20 million women in developed countries had used

hormonal menopausal therapy.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1426178.htm

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Pill and HRT drugs cause cancer, say researchers

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Erin O'Dwyer and Sarah Price, " Pill and HRT drugs cause cancer, say

researchers " , Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, July 31, 2005,

Link:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/pill-and-hrt-drugs-cause-cancer-say-researcher\

s/2005/07/30/1122144056410.html?oneclick=true

 

 

Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy drugs have been

classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.

 

WHO's cancer research group - the International Agency for Research on

Cancer - announced yesterday that it had reclassified the pill and

hormone replacement therapy from " possibly carcinogenic to humans " to

" carcinogenic to humans " .

 

The reclassification concerns combined eostrogen-progestogen treatments

and places the compounds used in the drugs in the same classification as

tobacco and asbestos.

 

However, doctors have urged caution in interpreting the conclusions.

 

" We have always been aware that there is a small increased risk, this

report is not saying there's a further risk to what we already know, "

said the president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Mukesh

Haikerwal.

 

" It's putting the risks up front as being a warning, but there are no

more dangers. "

 

The move follows a review of several recent high-profile studies that

have consistently shown women who use HRT have an increased risk of

breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

 

The use of oral contraceptives - used in Australia by about 30 per cent

of women of reproductive age - increases risk of breast, cervix and

liver cancer, but decreases risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

 

After a US study completed in 2002 linked HRT with higher risks of

breast cancer, heart attack and stroke, Australian women abandoned the

therapy in droves, with its use reportedly dropping by two-thirds.

 

In response, Australian health organisations moved to reassure women and

urged them to discuss the risks and benefits with their family doctor.

 

Professor John Eden, the director of the Sydney Menopause Centre at the

Royal Hospital for Women, said WHO's classification did not balance the

risks with the benefits, of which there were many.

 

" This is really disappointing for an organisation such as the World

Health Organisation, " he said.

 

WHO's analysis said oestrogen and progestogen menopause therapy

increased the risk of endometrial cancer when progestogens were taken

fewer than 10 days a month.

 

It said the combination contraceptive pill increased the risk of more

types of cancer than previously thought. But the investigation confirmed

that the pill protected against endometrial and ovarian cancers.

 

Dr Edith Weisberg, chairwoman of the National Health and Medical

Research Council's HRT working party, said

 

that in a group of 1000 women aged 30 who were not taking the pill, four

or five would get a breast cancer. Among the same group of women taking

the pill, there would be only one extra case of breast cancer.

 

For women taking HRT after five years, the risk of breast cancer is four

extra cases for every 1000 women, she said.

 

HRT: PROS AND CONS

 

- HRT reduces incidence of hot flushes, urogenital symptoms, sleep

problems and colorectal cancer.

 

- It also increases the risk of DVT, stroke, breast cancer, endometrial

cancer and ovarian cancer.

 

- The jury is out on whether it affects incidence of coronary artery

disease or dementia.

 

Source: National Health and Medical Research Council.

 

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