A new research has found that taking the contraceptive pill could actually reduce a woman’s risk of contracting cancer by up to 12 percent.
However, the study, from the University of Aberdeen also claims that women who use the pill for more than eight years are more likely to suffer from certain types of cancer affecting the cervix and central nervous system.In addition, the researchers suggest that women who take the pill can enjoy the health benefits for up to 15 years after they stop taking the contraceptive.
Although several studies have looked at the overall balance of cancer deaths associated with oral contraceptives, none have so far examined the absolute risks or benefits.
Researchers analysed data spanning a 36 year period from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Oral Contraception Study which began in 1968. The study recruited 46,000 women, with an average age of 29 amongst whom almost half were using oral contraceptives; the other half had never taken it.
Researchers arrived at their findings by analysing data given to GPs by women involved in the study at six month intervals, reports the BMJ.
These figures direct from GPs revealed a three per cent drop in cancer rates among women who used the pill. But a larger-scale set of data drawn from NHS registries showed women who took the pill were at a 12 per cent decreased risk of cancer.
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The authors say that many women, especially those who used the first generation of oral contraceptives many years ago, are likely to find the results reassuring.
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The findings of the study are published on the British Medical Journal's website.
Source-ANI
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