Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices
How do birth control pills affect cancer risk?
Most data show that birth control pills don't increase your overall risk of cancer.
Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer, but the risk declines after stopping use of birth control pills.
Regarding breast cancer risk, the results are mixed. Some studies show a link between birth control pill use and a slight increase in breast cancer risk, but the risk is very low. Other studies have shown no significant increase in breast cancer risk. Risk appears to decrease over time after discontinuing birth control pills. If you have a family history of breast cancer, birth control use does not appear to increase the risk.
The birth control pill may decrease your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and colon cancer — and this benefit may persist for years after you stop the pill.