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ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Oral contraceptives (also called the birth control pill or “the pill”) are hormone treatments for women intended to prevent unplanned pregnancy. There is evidence that the pill has other benefits, including decreasing the risk levels for cancer of the ovaries and of the uterus.

However, the birth control pill can lead to a small increase in the risk for breast cancer. The good news is that when a woman stops taking the pill, her risk for breast cancer drops, over a period of several years, to approximately what it was before using the pill. There have been different formulations of the pill over the years, so the effects of different pills can vary.

Discussing the benefits and risks with a doctor can help you decide if oral contraceptives are right for you.