A positive relationship exists between the use of hormonal birth control pills and the development of cancer in women. Earlier research showed an increased risk of ovarian cancer with the use of hormonal birth control pills. However, more research disputes the initial finding concerning the role of hormonal contraceptive pills in ovarian cancer. Proponents of the former view argue that sequential oral contraceptives raise ovarian cancer risk. This is caused by a triggered early menstrual cycle due to higher levels of estrogen than progesterone. The proponents of the later findings have developed several hypotheses. They posit that hormonal contraceptive pills decrease the number of ovulations in a woman’s lifetime, thus decreasing the risk for ovarian cancer. In addition, combined hormonal oral contraceptive pills reduce the exposure of endometrial cells to unopposed estrogen, during the 7 of the 28 days in which they are not taken, reducing the ovarian cancer risks. Further, use of hormonal birth control pills prevents the development of functional ovarian cysts, which may later develop into ovarian cancer cysts. Hormonal birth control pills prevent ovulation in women with irregular periods, reducing their risk of getting ovarian cancer. Contrary to the previously known hypothesis that hormonal birth control pills increase the risk for ovarian cancer, current research shows that hormonal birth control pills decrease the risk of cancer.

Increased cancer risk with hormonal birth control pills

Sequential Oral contraceptives have been found to raise the chances of ovarian cancer risk (Henderson, Ronald and Malcolm 633). This is caused by a triggered early menstrual cycle due to higher levels of estrogen than progesterone. With the knowledge that cancer cells develop through uncontrolled cell division, Henderson, Ronald and Malcolm argue that the hormones lead to an increased risk of ovarian cancer due to “the ability of the hormones to stimulate cell division in specific target cellsplay a major role in its development. In line with these, pre-menopausal events caused by the use of pills lead to the development of these cancers after menopause. For example, in obese, premenopausal women, anovulatory cycles lead to continuous production of estrogen, accompanied with low levels of progesterone, predisposing the woman to endometrial cancer. Similarly, sequential oral contraceptives caused an increased risk of ovarian cancer by inducing menstruation by the 14^th-16^th day proliferation phase (Henderson, Ronald and Malcolm 634). However, it was later discovered that administration of an estrogen-progesterone combination reduced the risk.

Decreased cancer risk with hormonal birth control pills

Hormonal contraceptive pills decrease the number of ovulations in a woman’s lifetime, thus decreasing the risk for ovarian cancer. Glazer (654) asserts that: “women who take pills are less likely to develop ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer than women who don’t”. The pills lead to a decrease in the number of ovulations in menopausal women, and are very beneficial to women who experience irregular menses (Asia News Monitor 1). Considering the unopposed estrogen hypothesis supported by Henderson, Ronald and Malcolm (633) as increasing the risk of ovarian cancer; research has proved otherwise. Thehat the use of combined oral contraceptives reduces the risk of the development of ovarian cancer due to the opposing effects of the two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The more progesterone suppresses the effect of estrogen, reducing the growth of uncontrolled cells.

Hormonal oral contraceptives have an extra benefit by prolonging the period of protection from ovarian cancer after cessation of their use. The use of combined oral contraceptives reduces the risk of ovarian cancer up to 15 years after stopping their use (Henderson, Ronald and Malcolm 635). The combined oral contraceptives suppress ovulation, reducing the risk of ovarian cancer. Schaffer (3) observes that a continuous 15-year use of hormonal oral contraceptive pills reduces a woman’s chances of getting ovarian cancer by half. The reduction, according to Schaffer, is brought about by the ability of the hormones to suppress the release of the egg in the ovary. By the year 2008, Schaffer (3) connotes that hormonal birth control pills had already been used to prevent 200,000 cases and 100,000 deaths of ovarian cancer. This is a positive indication of the role of hormonal birth control pills in ovarian cancer development.

Use of hormonal birth control pills prevents the development of functional ovarian cysts, which may later develop into ovarian cancer cysts. Women using hormonal contraceptive pills do not develop functional cysts (Ovarian Cysts 3). Since cancer may commence development from an ovarian cyst, it may be suppressed by preventing the development of functional ovarian cysts. Research shows that hormonal oral contraceptive pills suppress endometrial cysts that may grow into cancer cells. Through such a mechanism, the hormonal birth control pills contribute to ovarian cancer by preventing its progression.

Summary of the Asian News Monitor Article:

Women experiencing irregular menses can also benefit from hormonal birth control pills, in relation to ovarian cancer control. According to Asia News Monitor (2), hormonal birth control pills prevent ovulation in women with irregular periods, reducing their risk of getting ovarian cancer. Since irregular periods predispose a woman to ovarian cancer, women experiencing irregular menses may be at a double risk of getting ovarian cancer. The use of birth control pills in such women prevents ovulation, lowering the risk of ovarian cancer. In a study conducted in Alameda, California, with 14000 women, who had irregular menstrual cycles and were followed till death, 103 of them developed ovarian cancer, of which 65 died of the disease. According to the study, women with irregular menses had 2.4 times chances of developing ovarian cancer. The study recommended the use of hormonal birth control pills to suppress ovulation, reducing the risks of ovarian cancer.

Conclusion:

Research findings are a bit contradicting on the contribution of birth control pills to the development of ovarian cancer. Earlier research indicates that birth control pills increase the likelihood of ovarian cancer. However, most of the studies show positive benefits of using hormonal birth control pills, in that they reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by suppressing ovulation. Such knowledge has led to the use of birth control pills in reducing the risk of cancer in women who experience irregular menses. Despite the earlier knowledge that hormonal birth control pills increase ovarian cancer risk, there is an adequate body of research to support the contrary opinion. There is also evidence of the positive benefit of birth control pills in reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

Works Cited

Asia News Monitor. “Irregular periods may be risk factor for ovarian cancer, study suggests”. ProQuest Newsstand. 20^th April 2014. Web. 29 May 2014.

Glazer, Sarah. “Birth Control choices” CQ Researcher 29 July 1994: 649-672. Web. 29 May 2014.

Handerson, Brian, E., Ronald Ross, K., and Malcolm Pike, C. “Hormonal chemoprevention of cancer in women”. Science, 259.5095(1993): 633+.Oppossing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 29, May 2014.

“Ovarian Cysts.”New Harvard guide to women’s health. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 29^th May 2014.

Schaffer, Amanda. “The pill can have important health benefits”. Birth Control. Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit. Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Web. 29 May 2014.

Need assistance with this?