TikTok Talk Back: Birth Control and Cancer

Here at Emme, we love the internet. 

We love being able to get medical help on a portal instead of waiting weeks to see someone.

We love having access to articles and studies that keep us informed on developments that will affect our health.

We love ordering something online, forgetting we ordered it, and then finding it on our doorstep like a present a week later.

What we don’t love is misinformation about reproductive health. 

We want you to know that we’re committed to always providing you with balanced information from credible sources, because your health is the most important thing.  

This week, we begin a series called TikTok Talk Back, to address some of the things we’ve heard about birth control, hormones, fertility, sex drive, etc. on social media. We’re here to break down what's for real and what’s just for views. 

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TikTok Talk Back: Week 1

We’ve been seeing a lot online this week about the classification of Birth Control Pills as a Class 1 Carcinogen. 

So… what is a class 1 Carcinogen? 

A class 1 Carcinogen is a substance that has been found in some situations to increase risk of cancer. The classification system is not based on how much the substance could increase the risk of cancer, but simply on whether or not it can increase the risk. Thus, you might find something like ham in the class 1 carcinogen category right next to tanning beds or welding fumes. 

What’s the risk? 

Breast Cancer: 

For people who are on the pill, there is a slight increase in risk of breast cancer. For those under 35, this risk is approximately 1 additional case of breast cancer for every 50,000 people taking the pill. This increased risk goes down after stopping the pill, and it is no longer present at all after 10 years.

Cervical Cancer: 

For people on the pill, there is a slight increase in risk of cervical cancer. This adds an additional 7 people with cervical cancer per 10,000 on the pill. Similarly to birth control, the increased risk goes down after stopping the pill, and it is no longer increased after 10 years. 

Endometrial Cancer: 

Those who have taken the pill have a 30% lower risk of endometrial cancer. This risk increases with the length of time the pill is taken, and continues after the pill is stopped (studies suggest over 30 years). The risk reduction is especially effective in people in other high risk groups, like those who smoke or rarely exercise. 

Ovarian Cancer: 

Those who have taken the combined birth control pill have a 30-50% lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who have not ever taken the combined birth control pill. The risk reduction increases with the amount of time the medication is taken, and the effects last up to 30 years after ceasing birth control.

Colorectal Cancer: 

Those who have taken the combined birth control pill have a 15-20% lower risk of colorectal cancer. The effects of this can last up to 30 years.