New study says birth control could increase risk for breast cancer

A new study finds birthday control pills could increase the risk for breast cancer.

Doctors had hoped new forms of birth control using fewer hormones might be safer, but a new study reports they still increase a woman's risk of breast cancer.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine following nearly 2 million women found their breast cancer risk jumped 20 percent.

After 10 years, that risk grew to 38 percent, a special concern for women in their 40s, since their risk of breast cancer is already greater than a younger woman's.

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This increase may seem like a lot but overall, the risk of developing breast cancer is still relatively low.

Obesity raises your odds more than birth control.

The study also found it's not just pills that increase cancer risk, but any contraception that uses hormones including the vaginal ring, certain IUDs and the patch.

Other options for birth control without hormones include condoms, diaphragms and one type of IUD.

"I don't think any women should panic,” said Dr. Tara Shirazian of NYU Lagone Health.

Doctors said this study does not mean women should automatically stop taking birth control, especially those taking it for other medical conditions.

“I think that you have to weigh the benefits of being on hormonal contraception including pregnancy prevention, to the small risk of breast cancer,” said Shirazian.

Cox Media Group